Segmented Locking Band for Uniform Lid Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional locking mechanisms for securing lids to containers are cumbersome to install and remove, and they do not provide uniform pressure around the interface, leading to potential separation and unauthorized access or contents spillage.

Innovation Solution

A locking band with interlocking arms that form a continuous channel around the lid and container periphery, featuring alignment pins and receptacles, notches, and a fastener-receiving mechanism to ensure secure engagement and uniform pressure, preventing detachment and access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If discrete locks are installed through openings in the lid and container, then the lid can be secured to the container, but the locking mechanism becomes cumbersome to install and remove, and pressure is not uniformly distributed around the interface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid securingVSAvoidinstallation and removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking band is divided into two separate arms that can be independently positioned and then joined together. The first arm is attached to the lid while the second arm is attached to the container, allowing the locking mechanism to be installed in a simplified manner and removed by separating the arms without manipulating multiple discrete locks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple discrete locking functions are merged into a single continuous locking band that wraps around the entire periphery of the lid-container interface. This unified structure provides both secure locking and uniform pressure distribution while simplifying installation and removal operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If discrete locks are installed at specific locations, then the lid can be locked to the container, but pressure is concentrated at discrete locations rather than distributed uniformly around the interface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid securingVSAvoidpressure distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking band structure incorporates localized features such as alignment pins and receptacles at specific positions to ensure proper engagement, while the overall continuous structure maintains uniform pressure distribution across the entire interface rather than concentrating stress at discrete points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the lid and container interface is secured with discrete locks, then the lid can be locked, but the lid remains susceptible to separation in regions not engaged by the locks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid lockingVSAvoidinterface integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking band provides continuous engagement around the entire lid-container interface, ensuring that the locking action is maintained uniformly across all regions rather than being interrupted between discrete lock points, thereby preventing lid separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Stress or pressure

If a continuous locking band is used to provide uniform pressure around the lid and container periphery, then pressure distribution is improved, but the device complexity increases compared to discrete locks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure uniformityVSAvoidlocking band structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11040804B2Bin and lid locking bands and methods of using the same

Publication Date: 2021.06.22 US MERCHANTS FINANCIAL GROUP INC

AI summary

A locking band for securing a lid to a container. The locking band includes a first arm and a second arm configured to mate with the first arm. The first and second arms are configured to move between a disengaged position and an engaged position. The locking band also includes an inwardly-facing channel defined by the first and second arms configured to receive a peripheral portion of the lid and a corresponding peripheral portion of the container. At least one alignment pin is provided at a first end of one of the first and second arms, and at least one alignment receptacle is defined at a first end of the other one of the first and second arms to receive the alignment pin when the first and second arms are in the engaged position.