Multi-Panel Carrier With Aligned Retention Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carriers for holding and transporting containers lack a robust and secure design that can accommodate various shapes and sizes, often resulting in inadequate retention and comfort during handling.
Innovation Solution
A carrier design comprising multiple panels with aligned container retention openings and tabs, along with a handle formed by folding and aligning panel features, providing secure engagement and comfortable grip through a reinforced multi-ply structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing carriers use simple single-panel structures, then manufacturing is easier and cost is lower, but retention security and structural robustness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is divided into multiple panels (first panel, second panel, third panel, fourth panel) that can be folded and assembled to form a multi-chamber structure. Each panel can independently engage with containers through retention openings, providing distributed retention points that enhance overall security while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier employs a multi-ply construction where multiple panels are joined together to form composite wall structures. This composite approach combines the strength of multiple layers to create robust retention walls that can securely hold containers of various sizes, resolving the contradiction between structural strength and manufacturing simplicity
2Strength
If carrier panels are made thick and rigid for robustness, then structural strength improves, but handling comfort and grip ease deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The handle region incorporates a recessed portion with reduced thickness compared to the main carrier body. This local thinning creates an ergonomic grip area that is comfortable for user hands while the thicker main panels maintain structural strength for container retention, effectively resolving the contradiction between overall strength and local comfort
3Manufacturing precision
If carrier design is optimized for specific container sizes, then retention precision improves, but adaptability to various container shapes and sizes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier design incorporates adjustable retention mechanisms where panels can be positioned and secured at multiple locations. The retention openings and engaging features are designed to accommodate various container diameters and heights, allowing the same carrier structure to adapt to different container types while maintaining precise retention through proper panel alignment and securing
4Strength
If multi-panel folded structures are used for robustness, then carrier strength improves, but manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier panels are pre-formed with integrated retention openings, fold lines, and engaging features during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation of critical features allows the carrier to be assembled through simple folding and interlocking operations, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining the structural benefits of multi-panel folded construction
Data Source
AI summary
A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a plurality of panels including a first panel in at least partial face-to-face contact with a second panel, each of the first panel and the second panel having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion including from the first end portion to the second end portion, container retention features including at least one container retention opening in each of the first panel and the second panel, the at least one container opening in the first panel aligned with the at least one container retention opening in the second panel for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers; and a handle positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion of each of the first panel and the second panel for being grasped by a user.