Beverage Can Stacking Clip With Flex-Wing Easy Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for stacking beverage cans vertically for sale, such as using cardboard cases, are prone to damage, require additional machinery, consume resources, and obscure the cans' graphics.
Innovation Solution
A stacking clip that attaches two beverage cans vertically using ledges and clipping protrusions, with flexible wings to facilitate easy detachment, allowing for secure stacking and handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cardboard cases are used to stack beverage cans, then the cans are protected and held together, but the cases are easily damaged, require additional machinery for application, consume additional resources, and hide the cans' graphics
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the packaging system into individual reusable plastic clips that can be applied to each can separately, rather than using a single cardboard case to envelop multiple cans. Each clip is a discrete unit that can be independently manufactured, applied, and reused across different packaging configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, resource-intensive cardboard cases with inexpensive, easily manufactured plastic clips that can be produced at low cost and disposed of or reused without requiring complex recovery systems. The clips are designed to be simple, functional, and economically viable as single-use or limited-reuse components.
2Reliability
If cardboard cases are used to stack beverage cans, then the cans are held together securely, but additional machines are required for application on the packaging line
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic clips are designed to be self-applied to the cans without requiring specialized machinery. The clips feature design elements that allow them to be easily attached to individual cans or small groups of cans using simple manual or semi-automated processes, eliminating the need for complex case-applying equipment.
3Reliability
If cardboard cases are used to stack beverage cans, then the cans are enclosed and protected, but the cans' graphics are hidden
Solution Approach 1:
The thin plastic clips provide minimal enclosure that protects the cans while maintaining transparency to light and visual perception. The clips are designed as thin, semi-transparent structures that allow the cans' graphics to remain visible while still providing structural support and protection.
4Reliability
If traditional stacking methods are used, then cans are held together, but detachment requires significant force and is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The clips incorporate flexible wings that can dynamically change their engagement state with the cans. During normal handling, the wings maintain secure engagement, but when a user applies force to the wings, they flex and rotate to disengage from the can's rim, providing easy detachment when needed.
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
Provides a durable, resource-efficient, and aesthetically pleasing solution for stacking and transporting beverage cans, enabling secure attachment and easy release, while allowing for flexible packaging configurations and user-friendly handling.
Implementation Method 1
Wings are configured to flex inward under an influence of a digit of a user to bias the ledges outward away from the central region of the clip body
Data Source
AI summary
A stacking clip is provided for vertically attaching two beverage cans together. The stacking clip comprises tabs and ledges used to attach to the lip of a circular rim of a lower beverage can and clipping protrusions used to attach to an undercut region in a concavity of another upper beverage can. Wings are configured to flex inward under an influence of a digit of a user to bias the ledges outward away from the central region of the clip body, detaching the ledges from the rim of the attached beverage can.