Removable Surface Portions for Adjustable Opening Sizes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional objects often have predefined, non-adjustable openings that may be too large or too small, making them unusable for intended purposes as they do not accommodate user preferences for size.

Innovation Solution

Integration of variably-sized removable portions into objects, defined by concentrically-aligned separation edges that can be separated from the object's surface to create adjustable openings, allowing users to select the desired size and shape of the opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a predefined opening size is used in manufactured objects, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different user needs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to user needs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The object is divided into multiple segments or portions with different opening sizes. Each portion can be selectively removed to create the desired opening size, allowing the object to be manufactured in a standard configuration while providing customization options for different user needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The object transitions from a static, fixed-opening design to a dynamic, adjustable-opening design. Multiple predetermined opening sizes are built into the object, allowing users to select and remove portions to achieve the optimal opening size for their specific application, making the object adaptable to varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If a fixed opening size is manufactured, then production complexity is reduced, but usability for various applications deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidusability for various applications

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple opening configurations are pre-configured into the object during manufacturing. The different portions corresponding to various opening sizes are predetermined and prepared in advance, allowing users to simply remove the appropriate portion for their needs without requiring complex customization processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The opening size parameter is made variable through the inclusion of multiple predetermined configurations. By providing different portion sizes that can be selectively removed, the object allows users to change the opening parameter to match different application requirements while maintaining straightforward manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9155338B2Objects with built-in, variably-sized, removable portions

Publication Date: 2015.10.13 PDQ MAZOO LLC

AI summary

Certain embodiments provide a variably-sized removable portion integrated into an object. The object may include a surface and a variably-sized removable portion that includes separation edges that define a shape of the variably-sized removable portion. In certain embodiments, each of the separation edges is a different size and is concentrically-aligned with each other. Certain embodiments provide that each of the separations edges is separable from the surface of the object such that a size of an opening left when one of the separation edges is separated from the surface is variable depending on the size of the separation edge selected to be separated from the surface.