Utility Knife Blade Retainer with Protrusions for Secure Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tool container systems are inadequate for securely storing sharp utility knife blades, as they may shift during transport, posing a risk of injury.
Innovation Solution
A bulk storage container system with a removable blade retainer that includes protrusions to prevent side-to-side and forward movement of blades, ensuring they remain oriented in the same direction, and can be securely stored within larger containers using interlocking elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tools or accessories are held loosely within containers, then ease of access is improved, but blade stability deteriorates causing shifting during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The container system is divided into a container body and a separate retainer component. The retainer is segmented with multiple protrusions that can be selectively positioned to accommodate different blade sizes and configurations, allowing both secure retention and easy access.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is designed to be removable and reconfigurable within the container. Users can dynamically adjust the retainer position and configure protrusions to match different storage needs, transitioning between secure storage and easy access states.
2Device complexity
If conventional container systems are used for utility knife blades, then device simplicity is maintained, but safety deteriorates due to blade shifting risk
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer acts as an intermediary component between the container body and the blades. It provides the necessary retention features without requiring a complete redesign of the container system, maintaining simplicity while eliminating safety risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer concentrates retention features at specific locations where blades are stored, rather than requiring the entire container system to be complex. The protrusions are locally positioned to match blade geometries, providing safety only where needed.
3Stability of the object's composition
If blades are securely retained with multiple contact points, then blade stability is improved, but ease of retrieval deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is designed to be easily removed from the container body, extracting the retention function from the permanent container structure. This allows blades to be securely held during storage but easily accessed by simply removing the retainer rather than manipulating multiple retention points.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one embodiment, a tool container system includes a container with base and cover pivotably attached by a hinge, base and cover locking members, and a latch moveable between unlatched and latched positions to allow or prevent movement of the cover relative to the base. The system also includes a utility knife blade retainer configured to be received in and held by the container, the retainer configured to define a generally trapezoidal shape and contact multiple faces of blades received therein. The retainer comprises an engagement feature to engage with the container to limit movement of the retainer. In another embodiment, a knife blade retainer is configured to be received in a container. The retainer includes a generally trapezoidal shape defined therein to contact multiple faces of a trapezoidal shape of blades received therein. An engagement feature engages with the container to limit movement of the retainer within the container.