Bottle Protector Closure with L-Shaped Support Means
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bottle protectors often fail to securely hold the weight of the bottle due to insufficient closure mechanisms at the top and bottom, leading to potential leaks or damage during transport.
Innovation Solution
A die-cut and cut sheet is used to form a quadrangular prismatic bottle protector with alternating cut lines creating perimetral tabs for protection and 'L'-shaped support means at diagonally opposite corners for reinforced closure, ensuring the flaps and support mechanisms are securely folded and deformed to prevent accidental release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If simple flap and hinged tabs are used for closure, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of closure is insufficient to hold bottle weight
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into multiple functional segments: flaps for sealing, hinged tabs for attachment, and reinforced support means with folding zones for structural integrity. Each segment performs a specific function, collectively achieving reliable closure that can support bottle weight while maintaining reasonable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The support means are pre-formed with specific folding zones and geometric configurations that enable them to automatically assume their load-bearing position when the protector is assembled. This preliminary structuring ensures that the closure mechanism is ready to support bottle weight from the moment of assembly without requiring additional fastening steps.
2Strength
If standard folding zones are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but strength of closure under accidental forces is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The folding zones are designed with non-uniform geometric characteristics - specifically with varying lengths and positions that create different stiffness zones. This local differentiation allows certain areas to be more rigid for strength while other areas remain flexible for manufacturing, achieving both high closure strength and ease of manufacture through spatially varying properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure mechanism combines multiple cardboard layers and structural elements (flaps, tabs, support means) into a composite assembly. The layered construction and interlocking geometry create a composite structure that achieves high strength-to-weight ratio, maintaining closure strength while preserving the ease of manufacture inherent in cardboard-based solutions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If perimetric tabs are added for side wall protection, then protection against bumps is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The perimetric tabs serve multiple functions: they protrude to protect side walls from bumps during transport, provide additional structural rigidity to the protector body, and facilitate stacking and nesting of multiple protectors. This multi-functionality achieves comprehensive impact protection while minimizing complexity by using the same structural element for multiple purposes.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
Protector which has at least five attached consecutive segments (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), where segments (1, 2, 3, 4) make up the sidewalls of the protector, while segment (5) is the closure segment, segments (2, 3, 4, 5) are of equal length, while the first segment (1) is shorter in length, and has at its ends tabs that serve as an upper cover (8) and a lower cover (7) for closing the bottle protector, and including means (9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4) for supporting and closing the upper (8) and lower (7) covers. The upper (8) and lower (7) closure covers have a double set of tabs, and the support or closure means have rectangular segments (9.1) and (9.2) from which emerge some additional segments (9.3) and (9.4) for support or reinforced closure.