Molded Fiber Clamshell Closure Without Adhesives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing enclosures are inefficient in protecting and supporting items during shipping and storage, often requiring adhesives for closure and lacking flexibility in design.
Innovation Solution
A molded fibrous enclosure with movable sections and tabs, allowing for a clamshell configuration that can be secured without adhesives, providing protection and support through symmetrical cavities and biasing joints for easy insertion and closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional enclosures are used for shipping and storage, then items can be contained, but they require adhesives for closure and lack design flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces adhesive-based closure systems with a mechanical interlocking system using tabs and slots. The tabs extend from the first section and engage with corresponding slots in the second section, eliminating the need for adhesives while providing secure closure through pure mechanical means.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure is divided into multiple sections (first section and second section) that can be independently formed and then assembled. Each section has specific features (tabs and slots) that enable modular construction and simplified manufacturing processes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If enclosures are designed with fixed structures, then manufacturing is simplified, but flexibility in design and ease of operation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure incorporates movable tabs that can transition between different positions (engaged and disengaged states). This dynamic feature allows the enclosure to adapt between secure closure and easy opening, providing operational flexibility while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The tabs and slots design serves multiple functions: it provides secure mechanical interlocking for closure, enables easy opening through tab manipulation, and allows for potential variations in tab configuration to accommodate different enclosure designs and applications.
3Reliability
If enclosures use complex closure mechanisms, then security is improved, but ease of operation and potential for damage during opening/closure are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The tab and slot mechanism is designed to be self-aligning and self-locking. The tabs naturally guide themselves into the slots during closure, and the mechanical interlocking provides automatic security without requiring complex alignment procedures or additional fastening steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure sections are formed from flexible molded fiber materials that can bend and deform during the opening and closing operations. This flexibility allows the structure to accommodate the movement of tabs without risking damage to rigid components, while still maintaining secure closure when engaged.
Data Source
AI summary
An enclosure includes a first section, a second section, a first tab, and a second tab. The first section includes a first body with a first cavity. The second section is movably connected to the first section. The second section includes a second body with a second cavity. A first tab is connected to the first body. The first tab includes a first cutout. The second tab is connected to the second body. The second tab includes a second cutout. The second section is movable relative to the first section between an open position where the first cavity and the second cavity are exposed and a closed position where first cavity is aligned with the second cavity to form an enclosed volume. The first tab and the second tab can be oriented to expose the first cutout and the second cutout.