Magnetic Glove Container for Vertical Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional glove containers made of cardboard tend to slide on slick surfaces and occupy valuable horizontal space, requiring two hands to draw a glove due to compression forces, making them inconvenient in operating rooms.
Innovation Solution
A container equipped with a magnetic device that adheres to ferrous objects, allowing single-handed glove retrieval and eliminating the need for horizontal surface space, featuring a magnetic force stronger than the initial glove retrieval force and container weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional cardboard containers are used for glove storage, then the container structure is simple and inexpensive, but the container slides on slick surfaces and occupies valuable horizontal space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical friction-based stability system with a magnetic field-based attachment system. The magnetic container uses magnetic attraction forces to adhere to ferrous surfaces, eliminating reliance on surface friction and mechanical stability. This substitution resolves the contradiction by providing stable mounting without complex mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the container from horizontal surface occupation to vertical surface mounting. By enabling vertical wall mounting through magnetic attachment, the container utilizes the third dimension (vertical space) instead of consuming horizontal surface area. This dimensional change resolves the contradiction between stability and space occupation.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional cardboard containers are used for glove storage, then the container structure is simple, but two hands are required to draw a glove due to compression forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the compression-based mechanical retention system with a magnetic field-based support system. The magnetic container uses magnetic forces to hold the container securely on vertical surfaces, allowing the container to remain stationary while gloves are drawn. This eliminates the need for users to brace the container with one hand, enabling single-handed glove retrieval while maintaining simple container construction.
3Ease of operation
If a magnetic device is added to the container, then the container can adhere to ferrous objects and enable single-handed glove retrieval, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic container serves multiple functions: it provides structural containment for gloves, enables secure attachment to various ferrous surfaces (walls, cabinets, equipment), and maintains glove organization through magnetic field interaction. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by consolidating mounting, storage, and organization functions into a single device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state or property of the container by incorporating magnetic materials. This parameter change (adding magnetic properties) enables the container to interact with ferrous surfaces through magnetic attraction, providing versatile mounting options without requiring complex mechanical mounting mechanisms.
4Ease of operation
If a magnetic device is added to the container, then the container can securely attach to vertical surfaces, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite container structure combining traditional container materials (cardboard, plastic) with magnetic materials. This composite construction integrates magnetic attachment capability into the existing container design, allowing manufacturers to produce magnetic containers using established manufacturing processes while adding functional value.
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 magnetic container securely attaches to vertical surfaces, enabling easy access and reducing the force required to draw gloves, especially the first glove, while conserving horizontal space and allowing for sterile, efficient glove dispensing.
Implementation Method 1
A package for dispensing gloves includes a magnetic device to couple the package to a ferrous object
Data Source
AI summary
A container (100) includes a first side (101) defining an aperture (107), a second side (102), and a plurality of other sides (103,104,105). The first side, the second side, the plurality of other sides defining an interior volume (106) of the container. A plurality of gloves (110) is disposed within the interior volume such that one or more gloves may be drawn from the container through the aperture. A magnetic device (112) is proximately located with the second side. When the second side is proximately located with a ferrous object, the magnetic device magnetically couples the container to the ferrous object.