Container Tab Rivet Hole Thickening for Tear-Resistant Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container tabs with rivet-receiving holes lack sufficient stiffness and material distribution, leading to potential tearing and inefficient force transfer when opening containers, especially under leveraged forces.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a tab formed from thin sheet-like material with a hole for rivet reception, where material deformation and coining operations create an area of increased thickness and a straight inner portion within the hole, enhancing stiffness and frictional contact with the rivet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a hole is formed in thin sheet-like material for rivet reception, then the tab can be attached to the container, but the tab lacks sufficient stiffness and material distribution leading to potential tearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating an area of increased thickness specifically at the rivet-receiving hole location through material deformation and coining operations. This localized thickening provides enhanced stiffness and strength where the rivet attachment occurs, without requiring additional material throughout the entire tab structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional thin sheet to a three-dimensional structure by deforming and coining the material to create increased thickness in the rivet-receiving area. This dimensional change adds structural integrity and stiffness to the tab at the critical attachment point.
2Strength
If material is deformed and coined to increase thickness at the hole, then stiffness and frictional contact are enhanced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hole-forming operation with subsequent material deformation and coining operations into an integrated manufacturing sequence. By combining these steps, the process achieves enhanced frictional contact and stiffness while managing complexity through process integration rather than separate operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary material deformation and coining operations during tab formation, before the rivet attachment occurs. This preliminary action prepares the material structure in advance to ensure optimal stiffness and frictional contact properties are achieved before the final assembly step.
3Productivity
If the tab is designed to withstand leveraged forces, then opening efficiency improves, but the risk of tearing at the rivet hole increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating material thickness and structural reinforcement specifically at the rivet-receiving hole area. This localized enhancement provides the necessary tear resistance to withstand leveraged opening forces while maintaining overall tab efficiency for container opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides beforehand cushioning by creating the area of increased thickness and enhanced structural properties at the rivet hole location before the tab is subjected to opening forces. This preparatory reinforcement ensures the tab can withstand the stress of leveraged opening without tearing.
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 method results in improved stiffness and reduced pivoting of the tab, ensuring secure attachment and efficient opening of containers by maximizing surface contact and frictional forces without material wastage or weight increase.
Implementation Method 1
performing a wiping operation to deform material adjacent to the hole
Implementation Method 2
performing at least one coining operation to flatten the deformed material
Implementation Method 3
enhancing stiffness and frictional contact with the rivet
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manipulating a piece of material for use as a tab in conjunction with a container. The method includes accessing piece of relatively thin, sheet-like material and forming a hole in the piece of material. The method further includes performing a wiping operation to deform material adjacent to the hole, and performing at least one coining operation to flatten the deformed material. After the at least one coining operation the piece of material has an area of increased thickness adjacent to the hole, and after the at least one coining operation the piece of material has a generally straight inner portion at least partially defining the hole, where the generally straight portion extends at least about 20% of a height of the hole.