Biodegradable Pull Tab with Self-Retaining Bolt for Hard Shells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers face difficulties in opening coconuts due to their hard shells, requiring tools like knives or drills, and existing solutions often involve metal components that are not environmentally friendly.
Innovation Solution
A pull tab made from 100% organic, biodegradable materials like coconut shells and natural resin, featuring a bolt with a frustoconical end and elastic clips for self-retention, and anti-rotation means, allowing easy opening of coconuts without metal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal rivets are used to fasten the pull tab to the coconut husk, then the fastening strength and reliability are improved, but the environmental friendliness deteriorates due to non-biodegradable materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters from metal to organic materials (coconut shell and natural resin), transforming the bolt into a biodegradable component that maintains mechanical fastening function while eliminating environmental pollution. The organic bolt is inserted through a through-hole in the pull tab and secured with adhesive, providing reliable fastening without metal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction for the pull tab, combining coconut shell and natural resin materials to create a biodegradable assembly that replaces metal rivets. The composite organic materials provide sufficient mechanical strength for fastening while being environmentally friendly and biodegradable.
2Ease of operation
If a through-hole is made in the coconut husk for inserting the bolt, then the ease of operation is improved, but the structural integrity of the husk deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating the through-hole in the coconut husk before inserting the organic bolt and pull tab assembly. This pre-positioning allows the bolt to be securely inserted and the pull tab to be firmly attached, simplifying the overall installation process while maintaining husk integrity through proper hole placement and size control.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the pull tab is made from biodegradable organic materials only, then the environmental friendliness is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to material processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters to organic substances (coconut shell and natural resin) that can be processed using simpler, more natural methods compared to metal fabrication. The organic bolt is shaped and then secured with adhesive, avoiding complex metalworking processes while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates the opening of coconuts using only biodegradable materials, providing a user-friendly and environmentally friendly solution for accessing coconut water and meat, while being applicable to other hard-shelled fruits.
Implementation Method 1
the fastening and self-retaining means consists of a bolt housed in a through hole made in the body of the pull tab, which on one end includes a frustoconical portion, with a larger diameter, with divisions configured by means of clips
Data Source
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AI summary
A pull tab is described that is specifically designed for opening a coconut or another fruit with a hard shell by means of breaking a pre-cut area, the substantially flat pull tab of which has a gripping portion and a through hole for fastening means between the pull tab and the coconut, where the fastening means is a cylindrical bolt configured such that on the end inserted towards the inside of the coconut there is a frustoconical formation with a larger diameter with slots coinciding with one or more diagonal planes that determine portions by means of elastic clips, and on the opposite end it includes a substantially flat head, with a diameter larger than the body of the bolt, made up of stop means for when the bolt is inserted through the through hole of the pull tab and the shell of the coconut.