Multimode Pouch Cap With Radial Slots For 3D Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cap designs for pouches lack versatility and creativity in assembly, often requiring a large number of caps to form meaningful structures and are limited in the variety of configurations possible, restricting their utility as both closure members and toys.
Innovation Solution
A cap design featuring a spout engaging body with a handle member and a multimode handle coupling assembly, including multiple slots and tabs that allow for various orientations and configurations, enabling the coupling of caps in multiple ways to form diverse structures, including stacking and three-dimensional assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If caps are designed with simple coupling mechanisms, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed with multiple coupling mechanisms (stacking coupling assembly and multimode handle coupling assembly) that enable the same cap to be coupled in various orientations and configurations. The handle member includes multiple tabs and slot configurations (mode one, mode two, mode three slots) that allow coupling in different orientations, making the cap universally adaptable for creating diverse structures while maintaining a single integrated design that can be manufactured as one piece.
2Device complexity
If caps are designed with limited coupling configurations, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is segmented into distinct functional components: a stacking coupling assembly for vertical stacking and a multimode handle coupling assembly for lateral coupling in multiple orientations. The handle member is further segmented into multiple tabs and different types of slots (mode one, mode two, mode three), each enabling specific coupling configurations. This segmentation allows complex adaptability to be achieved through modular, organized subsystems rather than a monolithic complex design.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a large quantity of caps is required to form structures, then structural stability is improved, but quantity of substance is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The cap design incorporates three-dimensional coupling capabilities through the multimode handle coupling assembly, allowing caps to be coupled in multiple orientations (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and configurations. This enables the creation of stable three-dimensional structures with fewer caps compared to traditional single-orientation stacking. The handle member's multiple tabs and slot configurations enable spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions, reducing the total quantity of caps needed to achieve structural stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A cap for a pouch including a spout engaging body, a handle member and a multimode handle coupling assembly. The spout engaging body includes a depending skirt defining a central bore configured to engage a spout. The handle member extends from the spout engaging body. The multimode handle coupling assembly includes at least one handle tab formed into the handle member and at least one mode three slot. The at least one mode three slot includes a multi direction slot defined in the handle member having a central opening and a plurality of radial slot portion pairs, to, in turn, sized to receive a handle tab of another cap in a plurality of orientations.