Oval Container Carrier Structure for Non-Round Cap Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional container carriers are unable to securely insert or remove containers with non-round caps, such as those with oblong caps, due to their design limitations.
Innovation Solution
A container carrier with oval structures featuring circumferential ribs and flanges with arcuate inner perimeters forming a circular void, allowing for flexible engagement of containers with different cap shapes and sizes, and customizable flange lengths and orientations for balanced weight distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional container carriers are used, then round-necked containers with round caps can be easily inserted and removed, but containers with non-circular caps (e.g., oblong caps) cannot be inserted or removed
Solution Approach 1:
The flanges are designed to be flexible rather than rigid, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position during insertion and removal operations. The flanges can flex outward to accommodate non-circular caps during insertion, then return to their engaged position to secure the container, and flex again during removal, providing both adaptability and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The inner perimeters of the flanges are formed with arcuate shapes that collectively define a circular void, creating a geometric transformation that allows non-circular caps to be accommodated within a circular engagement structure. This parameter change in the flange geometry enables universal compatibility while maintaining ease of operation
2Strength
If multiple containers are secured together in a container carrier, then they can be carried as a single unit, but individual removal of containers becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible flanges provide a dynamic engagement mechanism that secures containers firmly during carrying but allows easy individual removal. When a container is pulled, the flanges flex to release the engagement, enabling individual containers to be removed without disturbing others while maintaining strong holding during transport
3Weight of moving object
If the container carrier is made lightweight for easy carrying, then user ergonomics are improved, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The container carrier utilizes flexible flanges that can be made from thin, lightweight materials while maintaining structural strength through their elastic properties. The flexibility of these thin film structures allows them to be lightweight for easy carrying while still providing sufficient strength to secure and support multiple containers during transport
Data Source
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AI summary
A container carrier (100) and manufacturing method therefore are provided. The container carrier (100) may include an integrally molded body (10) with a top surface (12), a bottom surface (14), and one or more oval structures (16). Each oval structure (16) has a circumferential rib (18) with a plurality of flanges (20) coupled to the circumferential rib (18), and each flange (20) includes an inwardly projecting portion (22). An inner perimeter (24) of each flange (20) is formed to have an arcuate shape, and the inner perimeters (24) of the flanges (20) are collectively configured to define a void (26).