Hanger Clip Design for Biodegradable Cellulose Pulp Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clips for hangers made of plastic are not suitable for biodegradable and compostable materials like cellulose pulp, as they are too fragile and elastic, and existing designs cannot accommodate flat, pressed cardboard sheets.
Innovation Solution
The clip design features identical internal and external elements with flat surfaces that form a single body, incorporating special recesses and notches for an elastic element to ensure functionality and rigidity, allowing for production using recyclable materials like cellulose or paper, and enabling the clip to be made from flat sheets through shearing or die-cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If clips are made of plastic material, then manufacturing speed and economy are improved, but environmental sustainability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from plastic to cellulose pulp, transforming the clip from non-biodegradable to biodegradable and compostable, thereby resolving the environmental sustainability issue while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through automated moulding processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite structure with reinforcement ribs integrated into the cellulose pulp material, combining the biodegradability of natural material with the structural strength needed for functionality, thus achieving both environmental sustainability and mechanical reliability
2Reliability
If clips are made from cellulose pulp material, then biodegradability and compostability are improved, but structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure by incorporating reinforcement ribs within the cellulose pulp material, combining the environmental benefits of natural material with enhanced structural strength through the reinforced design, thus resolving the strength deficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local reinforcement by adding ribs specifically in areas requiring structural strength, while maintaining the biodegradable cellulose pulp material in other areas, achieving optimal balance between strength and environmental sustainability
3Ease of manufacture
If clips are made from flat pressed cardboard sheets, then ease of manufacture is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the flat two-dimensional cardboard sheet into a three-dimensional structured clip by incorporating reinforcement ribs and forming hollow portions, adding structural dimension while maintaining ease of manufacture from flat sheets through shearing or die-cutting processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure within the flat sheet by integrating reinforcement elements and forming hollow portions, achieving structural integrity through the composite design while maintaining the manufacturing advantage of using flat pressed cardboard sheets
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 design provides a robust and recyclable clip suitable for biodegradable materials, ensuring effective garment hanging while being easily recyclable and compostable, with the ability to be made from flat sheets of paper or cardboard without losing structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element (4) with opposed sides (5, 6), which can be placed astride above the bar (1) of the hanger; each of the sides (5, 6) of the elastic element (4) being insertable into a recess (8) present in each of the blades (2, 3), said elastic element (4) acting in such a way as to push the lower end (8) of the blades (2, 3) into reciprocal contact
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a clip for hangers applied to a bar having a pair of opposed blades reciprocally connected by means of an elastic element with opposed sides and curved nails being insertable into a recess present in each of the blades. The elastic element pushes the lower end of the blades into reciprocal contact. The elastic element “U”-shaped and each of the blades is composed of a first internal element and second external element superimposable on the first internal element to constitute said blade. Each of the second external elements has identical shapes and dimensions to the internal elements and are superimposable on each of the internal elements. The elastic element presents its opposite sides with at least one section that overlaps a portion of the internal elements before the curved nail is inserted in the recess.