Quiet Clam Shell Pouch Using Segmented Magnetic Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pouches that open and close silently and are cost-effective with strong magnetic closure are lacking, particularly for carrying binoculars and other equipment where noise minimization is crucial, such as during hunting or in quiet environments.
Innovation Solution
A pouch design featuring a wide mouth with a clam-shell type lid that uses low-cost, small, spaced-apart magnets enrobed in close-fitting nets made of interconnected soft strings around the rim of the pouch and lid, ensuring silent closure and adequate holding power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If strong flexible magnets are inserted into mating seams to create silent closure, then noise is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the magnetic closure system into multiple small spaced-apart magnets instead of using fewer large magnets. This segmentation allows the use of smaller, less expensive magnets while maintaining effective holding force through cumulative magnetic attraction across multiple contact points around the pouch opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the magnetic system by using small-spaced magnets with specific polarity arrangements (opposite polarities on mating surfaces) to achieve silent closure. The mesh enrobe material parameters are also optimized to be soft and flexible, allowing the magnets to come together quietly while maintaining holding power.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If magnets are covered with rolled fabric bead covers to reduce noise, then noise is reduced, but magnetic holding power decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a mesh enrobe made of interconnected soft strings as a flexible covering for the magnets. This mesh structure is thin and flexible, allowing the magnets to come into close proximity and exert full magnetic force while still providing a cushioning effect that reduces noise during closure. The mesh acts as a soft interface that transmits magnetic force effectively while dampening impact noise.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple small spaced-apart magnets are used instead of fewer large magnets, then manufacturing cost decreases, but closure holding power may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the effects of multiple small magnets by arranging them in spaced-apart patterns around the pouch opening with opposite polarities on mating surfaces. The cumulative magnetic attraction of all these small magnets working together provides sufficient holding power to secure binoculars and other equipment, equivalent to or exceeding that of fewer large magnets while reducing cost.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The pouch achieves silent opening and closing with strong magnetic attraction, providing a cost-effective solution for carrying binoculars and other items without noise disturbance, suitable for various applications including hunting and quiet gatherings.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of strong, flexible magnets that are respectively inserted into the mating seams so that they have opposing polarities and will forcefully attract one another
Data Source
AI summary
A quiet opening and closing clam shell pouch with a bag and a hinge connected lid, each of the pouch and lid having a peripheral wall, a soft compressible sleeve on the peripheral wall of the bag and surrounding an open mouth of the bag and on a peripheral wall of the lid; a solid shape defining and shaping member in each soft compressible sleeve shapes and holds open the mouth of the bag and shapes the periphery of the lid so that the lid can be pivoted to close the mouth of the bag; cooperating surfaces of magnets, enrobed in a soft net mesh, are spaced around the peripheral walls and alongside each soft compressible sleeve to pull the padded sleeves together and to compress the sleeves and soft strands of the net mesh that extend across the cooperating surfaces of the magnets.