Hand Stamp With Removable Die Box and Releasable Locking Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional self-inking hand stamps face issues with factory-sealed porous foam, leading to increased costs and waste if manufacturing errors occur, and require special machinery for image formation, while also lacking a simple method for re-inking or replacing the ink supply.
Innovation Solution
A hand stamp design featuring a porous foam layer as both the ink storage and image-forming material, with a die box that is easily removable for re-inking or replacement, utilizing a porous resin layer that can be selectively melted to create impermeable areas, and a mechanism with releasable locking tabs for secure attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the porous foam is factory sealed, then manufacturing errors require discarding the entire mount increasing costs, but removing the seal allows re-inking and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The stamp is divided into separable components: the handle, the porous foam pad, and the ink reservoir are designed as distinct replaceable parts. This segmentation allows the foam pad to be replaced independently without discarding the entire stamp assembly, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and re-inking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static factory-sealed design to a dynamic system where the foam pad can be removed and replaced by the user. The recessed cavity design with retention features enables this dynamic reconfiguration, allowing the stamp to adapt between initial use and replacement scenarios.
2Ease of operation
If a separate inkpad is used, then the stamping process is simple, but it requires extra time for re-inking and slows down the process
Solution Approach 1:
The ink reservoir is merged with the porous foam pad into a single integrated assembly that fits into the handle. This combination eliminates the need for separate external inkpads and their periodic re-inking, while the foam pad itself serves as both the ink storage medium and the stamping surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous foam pad is designed to be self-inking through its capillary action properties. When the foam pad is inserted into the handle, it automatically absorbs ink from the reservoir through capillary forces, eliminating the need for manual re-inking operations and reducing time loss.
3Device complexity
If pre-inked thermoplastic foam is used, then ink storage is integrated, but the entire pad is wasted if there is a problem with the image
Solution Approach 1:
The stamp system is segmented into a reusable handle component and a replaceable foam pad component. If the image on the foam pad becomes problematic, only the foam pad needs to be discarded and replaced, while the handle and ink reservoir remain intact and reusable, significantly reducing material waste compared to discarding the entire pre-inked pad.
4Ease of manufacture
If the porous foam is factory sealed, then manufacturing is simplified, but special machinery is required to expose the porous foam to form the image
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is segmented into two independent stages: foam pad fabrication (which can be done with standard equipment) and image formation (which occurs after the pad is assembled in the handle). This segmentation eliminates the need for specialized machinery to expose the foam during initial manufacturing, as the foam remains sealed until the final assembly stage.
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
Enables efficient re-inking and replacement of the ink supply, reduces waste, and simplifies the image formation process, allowing for cost-effective and user-friendly operation without the need for external ink pads or special machinery.
Implementation Method 1
portions of the porous resin layer are melted and solidify into impermeable areas that are ink impermeable
Implementation Method 2
uses a printing surface made from an ink permeable material that allows ink to pass from an ink storage member, through the printing surface and onto the object being marked
Data Source
AI summary
A hand stamp that has a handle that receives a removable die box. The die box is received and held in the handle by a spring-loaded push button that has a locking mechanism that engages a locking slot in the die box. By operating the push button the locking mechanism is moved out of the locking slot to release the die box for re-inking or replacement of the porous foam material with a replacement image surface. A reversible cover engages the bottom of the handle to securely cover the die plate in a first position. When the cover is reversed, the cover acts as a protective resting place for the stamp which can be easily lifted off the cover for use by the operator.