Packaging Tool with Rotatable Support Members for One-Handed Tape Application
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for applying packaging materials, such as stretch wrap or shrink wrap, are cumbersome and often require two hands, making them inefficient for use in transporting and bundling items.
Innovation Solution
A packaging tool with a first and second base, elongate support members, and an actuation mechanism that allows the tool to change orientation, enabling one-handed operation by positioning the support members within a roll of packaging material to either allow or prevent rotation, facilitating easy application and distribution of the packaging material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If current methods for applying packaging material are used, then packaging material can be applied to items, but the process is cumbersome and requires two hands
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging tool is designed to be self-operating through a ratchet mechanism that automatically advances the packaging material as the user applies pressure with their hand. The tool serves itself by converting simple hand pressure into continuous material distribution without requiring complex manual manipulation or two-handed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging tool incorporates movable components including a rotatable roll support and a ratchet mechanism that dynamically adjusts during operation. The support members can rotate to feed material, and the ratchet automatically engages and disengages to control material distribution, making the system adaptable and easy to operate with one hand.
2Productivity
If packaging material is distributed manually, then material can be applied to items, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging tool maintains continuous material distribution through a self-advancing ratchet mechanism that continuously feeds packaging material as the user moves the tool along the items. This continuous action eliminates interruptions and manual repositioning, significantly increasing productivity and reducing the time required for complete packaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic ratchet mechanism automatically advances the packaging material roll and controls material distribution without requiring manual intervention or pauses. This continuous dynamic operation transforms a time-consuming manual process into an efficient automated-like operation, greatly improving productivity.
3Ease of operation
If support members are positioned within the tubular core, then the roll can rotate freely for material distribution, but the roll cannot be stabilized
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are designed to be movable between different positions within the tubular core. During material distribution, they are positioned to allow free rotation. When stabilization is needed, the support members can be repositioned or the tool can be oriented to provide rotational constraint. This dynamic repositioning capability allows the system to switch between rotation freedom and stability as required.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system is segmented into multiple support members that can independently be positioned within the tubular core. This segmentation allows different support members to be adjusted to different positions, enabling the system to provide either rotational freedom or stability depending on the operational phase, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
4Stability of the object's composition
If support members are positioned to prevent roll rotation, then the roll is stabilized, but material distribution becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support members can be dynamically repositioned along the tubular core to switch between stabilizing the roll and allowing it to rotate for material distribution. The actuation mechanism enables the support members to move to different positions, providing stability when needed and rotation freedom when material distribution is required, thus resolving the contradiction between these opposing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system is divided into multiple adjustable support members that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the system to provide roll stability when support members are positioned to constrain rotation, and to facilitate material distribution when support members are repositioned to allow rotation, effectively resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Packaging tools, which, in various embodiments, are adapted to assist a user in applying material from a roll of packaging material (e.g., packing tape, stretch wrap or shrink wrap) to an item or group of items. The packaging tool is typically adapted to move between: (1) a first orientation in which the packaging tool does not substantially restrict the rotation of the roll of packaging material adjacent the packaging tool; and (2) a second orientation in which the packaging tool does substantially restrict (e.g., prevent) the rotation of the roll of stretch wrap tool adjacent the packaging tool. A user typically maintains the packaging tool in the first orientation as the user wraps the packaging material about an item. The user may then move the packaging tool into the second orientation, which allows the user to pull the packaging material tight and separate the applied length of packaging material from the roll.