Canister and bracket system and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing canister and bracket systems are cumbersome and expensive, with metal support brackets being heavy and potentially hazardous due to their protruding design, making them difficult to remove and replace, and posing a risk of collision and damage.
Innovation Solution
A canister and bracket system featuring a canister with retaining sections spaced less than 180 degrees around its circumference, allowing for a bracket with holding features that interface with these sections, enabling easy attachment and detachment with less force than required to remove the bracket from a surface, thus reducing the risk of collision and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal support brackets with horizontal support surface are used to securely mount canisters, then the canister is firmly secured and limited in movement, but the bracket becomes heavy, expensive, and protrudes outward creating collision hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is segmented into multiple functional components: a mounting plate for surface attachment, a support arm for canister engagement, and a release mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall weight while maintaining securing reliability through distributed engagement points along the canister body.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket design transitions from heavy, permanent metal construction to a lighter, potentially disposable or replaceable mechanism. The simplified structure uses minimal material while achieving the same functional outcome, making the bracket itself replaceable if damaged, thus reducing the need for heavy-duty permanent installation.
2Reliability
If metal support brackets with horizontal support surface are used to securely mount canisters, then the canister is firmly secured and limited in movement, but the bracket projects outward from the mounting surface creating collision hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket design moves the canister support engagement from a horizontal protrusion into the vertical dimension by engaging the canister body along its length. The mounting plate remains flush against the mounting surface while the support arm extends perpendicular to it, creating a compact profile that eliminates lateral collision hazards while maintaining secure engagement through vertical positioning.
3Reliability
If traditional support brackets surround most of the container to limit movement, then the container is securely held, but the bracket becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential function of canister securing from the complex surrounding structure. Instead of enclosing the canister with multiple components, the design uses a single support arm with engagement features that contact specific portions of the canister body, achieving secure mounting through selective engagement rather than comprehensive enclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides structural support, canister positioning, and movement limitation. The same component serves multiple purposes: supporting the canister weight, preventing lateral displacement, and enabling controlled release, thereby reducing the need for separate specialized components.
4Reliability
If fixed mounting methods are used for canisters, then the canister is securely mounted, but it becomes difficult to remove and replace when articles are depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket incorporates a dynamic release mechanism that transitions the mounting system from a static fixed connection to a controllable dynamic connection. The support arm can be held in a locked position for secure mounting but can be easily released through a simple actuation mechanism, allowing rapid replacement of depleted canisters while maintaining secure attachment during normal use.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C~1E
AI summary
A canister and bracket system and method is disclosed. The system including a canister comprising a sidewall defining a first retaining section and a second retaining section disposed less than 180 degrees from the first retaining section and a bracket attachable with the canister. The bracket comprising a first holding feature, a second holding feature, and a connection portion that extends between the first holding feature and the second holding feature. The first holding feature is receivable in the first retaining section and is releasably engagable with the first retaining section of the canister and the second holding feature is receivable in second retaining section and is releasably engagable with the second retaining section of the canister. When the bracket is coupled with and supports the canister, the bracket interfaces with less than 180 degrees of the canister.