Disposable Remote Control Case with Tamper-Evident Hygiene Seal

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional remote control cases for TV sets fail to provide effective hygiene barriers against germ and bacteria proliferation due to frequent reuse and lack of assurance that the case has not been previously used, as they are not designed to be single-use and often not replaced frequently enough.

Innovation Solution

A disposable remote control case with a flexible, biodegradable cover wrapping that securely encases the remote control unit, featuring a tamper-evident design with a removable covering element and weakened sections for easy tear-off, ensuring single-use and hygiene assurance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional remote control cases are used to provide hygiene barrier, then germ and bacteria protection is improved, but the cases are frequently reused and lose their hygienic function

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegerm and bacteria protectionVSAvoidcase reuse frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a disposable remote control case that is designed for single-use only. The case includes a tear-off portion with a message indicating it has been used, ensuring that users receive a fresh, hygienic case each time and preventing reuse that would compromise hygiene standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses visual indicators through color or transparency changes to communicate the usage status of the case. The tear-off portion reveals a message when removed, providing visual confirmation to the user that the case is new and hygienic, and that the remote control has not been previously used.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional cases are replaced frequently to maintain hygiene, then hygiene protection is improved, but users cannot be certain the case has been replaced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehygiene protectionVSAvoidcase replacement verification

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism through a message displayed on the tear-off portion of the case. When the tear-off portion is removed, the message becomes visible, providing immediate feedback to the user that the case is new and the remote control has not been previously used, thus verifying proper replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses visual indicators through color or transparency changes to communicate the usage status of the case. The tear-off portion reveals a message when removed, providing visual confirmation to the user that the case is new and hygienic, and that the remote control has not been previously used.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If remote control units are washed with traditional detergents to maintain hygiene, then cleanliness is improved, but the delicate electronic devices are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecleanlinessVSAvoidelectronic device integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the hygiene function from the remote control unit itself and transfers it to a separate disposable case. The case acts as a barrier that protects the electronic devices from direct contact with water and detergents, allowing the remote control to be cleaned without exposing sensitive electronics to damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a disposable remote control case that is designed for single-use only. The case includes a tear-off portion with a message indicating it has been used, ensuring that users receive a fresh, hygienic case each time and preventing reuse that would compromise hygiene standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP2923368B1Case for remote control units

Publication Date: 2017.01.11 ENGINEERING DESIGN AGENCY LIMITED

AI summary

The case (1) for remote control units comprises a cover wrapping (2) for covering the substantial totality of a remote control unit (T) having at least a pushbutton panel (P), the cover wrapping (2) comprising at least a sector which is at least partially transparent and can be placed in correspondence to the pushbutton panel (P) of the remote control unit (T) to permit the view of the pushbutton panel (P), wherein the case (1) comprises at least a covering element (9) which is associated in a removable way with the cover wrapping (2) substantially in correspondence to the sector and suitable for preventing the pushbutton panel (P) from being viewed as long as the covering element (9) is not removed from the cover wrapping (2).