Container Carrier Retention Tabs With Deflection Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carriers for containers lack efficient mechanisms to securely hold and display various shapes and sizes of containers while distributing stress evenly, potentially leading to tearing or unwanted strains.
Innovation Solution
A carrier design featuring container retention tabs and deflection tabs that foldably connect to a central panel, allowing for secure engagement with containers and distributing stress through non-planar deflection regions, reducing the risk of tearing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rigid retention mechanisms are used to securely hold containers, then container security is improved, but stress concentration leads to tearing and structural failure
Solution Approach 1:
The retention tabs are designed to be movable and flexible rather than rigid, allowing them to dynamically adjust to container insertion and distribute stress through deflection regions. The tabs can bend and flex during engagement, transforming static rigid structures into dynamic stress-absorbing elements that maintain container security while preventing structural failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the retention mechanism by introducing deflection regions with modified geometry and material properties. These regions have increased flexibility and stress distribution characteristics compared to traditional rigid tabs, allowing the same retention function to be achieved with reduced stress concentration and lower risk of tearing.
2Reliability
If retention tabs are made rigid to ensure secure container engagement, then engagement security is improved, but stress distribution deteriorates leading to tearing
Solution Approach 1:
The retention tab is segmented into distinct functional regions: a rigid engagement portion that secures the container and flexible deflection regions that absorb stress. This segmentation allows different parts of the same component to have different mechanical properties, maintaining engagement security while eliminating stress concentration and tearing risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflection regions are designed in advance as stress-absorbing elements that preemptively cushion the impact of stress forces before they can concentrate and cause tearing. These pre-positioned flexible regions act as built-in shock absorbers that protect the carrier structure from harmful stress concentrations during container engagement and transport.
3Strength
If foldable connections are used to allow tab deflection, then stress distribution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fold lines and deflection regions are merged into a single integrated structural feature rather than separate components. The fold lines are not additional elements but are incorporated directly into the tab geometry, creating a unified structure that combines retention and stress distribution functions without increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds dimensional complexity in the form of fold lines and three-dimensional deflection regions, but these are achieved through two-dimensional pattern design on the flat blank. The fold lines create三维 structure from二维 material without requiring additional parts or assembly steps, effectively adding functionality without proportionally increasing complexity.
4Reliability
If deflection tabs with intersecting fold lines are implemented, then stress relief is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fold lines and deflection tab geometries are pre-configured on the flat blank during manufacturing, so that the stress relief structure is already in place before the carrier is assembled or used. This preliminary configuration of the stress relief features eliminates the need for post-manufacturing adjustments or complex assembly operations, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving superior stress relief.
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
The carrier effectively secures containers of varying shapes and sizes by distributing stress, preventing tearing and providing a stable, stress-relieved engagement.
Implementation Method 1
distributing stress through non-planar deflection regions, reducing the risk of tearing
Data Source
AI summary
A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a central panel having a plurality of container retention openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers, a plurality of container retention tabs positioned extending into respective container retention openings of the plurality of container retention openings, the plurality of container retention tabs positioned for engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers, at least one container retention tab of the plurality of container retention tabs foldably connected to the central panel at a fold line, and at least one deflection tab positioned extending away from the at least one container retention tab of the plurality of container retention tabs, the fold line intersecting a respective at least one deflection tab.