Integral Interlocking Clip for Container Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional packaging for electronics racks requires multiple separate container pieces and plastic clips for assembly, leading to inefficiencies, environmental concerns, and increased chances of damage during shipping due to overhanging top caps and manual alignment issues.

Innovation Solution

Integration of interlocking clips within container sections, featuring tab-receiving apertures and bendable locking tabs with extensions, allowing for secure assembly without additional tools or separate fasteners, reducing material usage and assembly time while enhancing environmental sustainability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If separate plastic clips are used to fasten container sections, then container sections can be assembled together, but assembly time increases due to manual hole alignment and clip gathering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer assemblyVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The locking tab and tab-receiving aperture are integrated directly into the container sections themselves, eliminating the need for separate plastic clips. The locking tab is formed from one container section and the tab-receiving aperture is formed in the overlapping container section, merging the fastening function into the container structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The container sections are designed to self-align and self-fasten through the interlocking tab and aperture mechanism. The bendable extensions with wall-receiving grooves guide the locking tab into the tab-receiving aperture, enabling automatic alignment without manual hole matching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of manufacture

If separate plastic clips are used to fasten container sections, then container sections can be assembled together, but environmental sustainability deteriorates due to additional plastic waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer assemblyVSAvoidplastic waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening function is merged into the container sections by forming locking tabs and tab-receiving apertures directly in the container walls. This eliminates the need for separate plastic clips, reducing plastic material usage and environmental waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If top cap overhangs container sleeve, then assembly is simplified, but shipping damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging assemblyVSAvoidshipping durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The interlocking clip system provides dynamic adjustment capability where the locking tab can be bent to different positions. This allows the top cap to be securely positioned without overhanging, as the interlocking mechanism maintains proper alignment and prevents excessive extension that would cause damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate container pieces are used, then packaging functionality is achieved, but inventory complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging functionalityVSAvoidinventory management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container sections are designed with integrated interlocking features that combine multiple functions into single components. The locking tabs and tab-receiving apertures are formed directly in the container sections, eliminating the need for separate clips and reducing inventory complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

5Ease of manufacture

If manual hole alignment is required for clip assembly, then separate clips can be used, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer assemblyVSAvoidhole alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The locking tabs and tab-receiving apertures are pre-formed during container section manufacturing. The bendable extensions with wall-receiving grooves are created in advance to guide alignment, eliminating the need for precise manual hole alignment during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20180194511A1Container with integral interlocking clip(s)

Publication Date: 2018.07.12 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

An interlocking clip, a container incorporating the interlocking clip, and methods of fabricating of the interlocking clip and container are provided. The interlocking clip is formed integral with first and second container sections for fastening the container sections together, and includes a tab-receiving aperture and a locking tab. The tab-receiving aperture is formed through a container wall of the first container section, and the locking tab is formed from, and integral with, a container wall of the second container section. The locking tab is bendable to interlock with the tab-receiving aperture, and includes bendable extensions on opposite sides of the locking tab. The bendable extensions include wall-receiving grooves to receive the container wall on opposite sides of the tab-receiving aperture in the first container section. In operation, the locking tab inserts into the tab-receiving aperture to interlock the first and second container sections together.