Friction-Lock Adaptable Spacer for Beverage Container Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging solutions, such as corrugated cardboard boxes, lack effective means to separate and protect products during transport, storage, and display, particularly for items like beverage containers, which can lead to damage and inefficient use of space.
Innovation Solution
Friction-lock adaptable spacers made from a single piece of material, such as corrugated cardboard, with a rectangular base and sidewalls that create channels for objects, allowing easy assembly and disassembly, providing separation and protection while minimizing material usage and assembly labor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional packaging solutions like corrugated cardboard boxes are used, then products can be transported and stored, but they lack effective means to separate and protect products, leading to damage and inefficient space utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging system is segmented into modular components: a base structure and multiple interchangeable spacers. Each spacer is designed with specific configurations (different heights, channel arrangements, and locking mechanisms) to separate and protect different types of products. This segmentation allows the same base to work with various spacers depending on product requirements, providing protection without requiring entirely different packaging solutions for each product type.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacers incorporate dynamic elements including friction-lock mechanisms that allow easy assembly and disassembly, and adjustable channel configurations that can adapt to different product sizes. The friction-lock feature enables workers to quickly lock spacers into the base structure without tools, while the channel designs can be modified to accommodate various product dimensions, providing both protection and adaptability.
2Reliability
If spacers are designed to effectively separate and protect products, then product damage is reduced, but assembly and disassembly labor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacers are pre-designed with integrated friction-lock features and pre-configured channel structures that require no additional assembly steps or tools. The locking mechanism is built into the spacer design itself, allowing workers to simply insert and lock the spacer into place without requiring separate fastening operations. This preliminary design consideration significantly reduces assembly time while maintaining effective product protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction-lock mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through simple manual insertion and twisting motions, without requiring tools or complex procedures. The spacer's own structure provides the locking action through friction engagement between its components, making the assembly process self-service in nature. This self-locking capability maintains strong product protection while minimizing the time and effort required for assembly and disassembly.
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional adhesives or fastening materials are used to secure spacers, then stability is improved, but material usage and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spacers utilize a self-locking friction mechanism that generates stability through the friction between the spacer components and the base structure. When the spacer is inserted and locked, the friction force between the mating surfaces provides sufficient holding power to secure the spacer in place during transport and storage. This eliminates the need for additional adhesives, tapes, or fastening materials, reducing material usage and environmental impact while maintaining adequate stability for the application.
4Ease of manufacture
If fixed spacer configurations are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different products is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a universal base structure and multiple specialized spacer variants. Each spacer type is manufactured with specific channel configurations, heights, and locking features optimized for particular product categories (e.g., beverage containers, electronics, fragile items). This segmentation allows each spacer component to be manufactured efficiently for its specific purpose while the overall system remains highly adaptable through the combination of base + various spacer types.
Solution Approach 2:
The base structure is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple different spacer types through standardized interface features. The base includes standardized channels, locking mechanisms, and mounting points that work with various spacer configurations. This universality allows a single base design to support multiple product types by simply changing the spacer component, achieving both manufacturing efficiency and product adaptability.
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 spacers effectively separate and protect objects by maintaining a stable position without requiring additional adhesives, reducing the risk of damage and optimizing storage and display configurations, while allowing for easy insertion and removal of items without vertical displacement.
Implementation Method 1
The friction between the panel and the separation tab prevents the panel from being easily moved from its assembled position
Data Source
AI summary
A friction lock adaptable spacer configured to provide suitable separation between two or more objects. The spacer may be used during the storage, transport, display, and/or use of the objects to separate them and protect them from their surrounding environment. In some embodiments, the spacer is designed to maintain a suitable separation between two or more beverage containers. The spacer has a single piece construction, which reduces assembly and disassembly labor, and also reduces materials required for construction and disposal. The spacer may be constructed from a single piece of material, such as corrugated cardboard.