Reusable Zip Tie With Interlocking Teeth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cinching and bundling ties are limited by material constraints, complexity in manufacture, and loss of effectiveness with repeated use, particularly in applications requiring secure and adjustable fastening without significant waste or complexity.
Innovation Solution
A self-locking, re-usable cinching and bundling tie with multiple teeth along both edges, manufactured using die cutting techniques, allowing for easy engagement and release, adjustable length, and scalable production with minimal waste, using semi-rigid materials like polyethylene or polypropylene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional self locking straps are used for bundling, then they can secure materials, but they lose effectiveness and structural integrity with repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The strap is segmented into multiple teeth along its length, allowing the locking mechanism to engage at multiple points simultaneously. This segmentation distributes the mechanical stress across multiple engagement points rather than a single point, preventing structural failure during repeated cinching and uncinching operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism incorporates movable teeth that can dynamically adjust their engagement state. The teeth are designed to flex and re-engage with the material, maintaining optimal locking pressure through repeated cycles of use without losing structural integrity or effectiveness.
2Reliability
If complex locking mechanisms are used to provide secure hold, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cinching and locking functions are merged into a single integrated structure. The teeth serve dual purposes: they provide the cinching action when pulled through the material and simultaneously create the locking mechanism through their interlocking geometry, eliminating the need for separate locking components.
Solution Approach 2:
The strap structure is designed to be self-locking through the geometry of its teeth. When the strap is pulled through the material, the teeth automatically engage and lock without requiring additional actuators, springs, or complex mechanisms. The user simply needs to pull the free end to cinch and release to unlock.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional manufacturing methods are used for straps, then production is possible, but material waste is significant
Solution Approach 1:
The strap design with its linear sequence of teeth can be efficiently manufactured by cutting continuous strips from large sheets of material. This segmentation into linear elements allows for nested packing and efficient utilization of the source material, minimizing offcuts and waste compared to manufacturing individual components separately.
4Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable length straps are designed, then versatility improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The strap is manufactured as a continuous piece with multiple teeth at regular intervals. Users can adjust the effective length by selecting different numbers of teeth to engage with the material, providing versatility without requiring precision manufacturing of each possible length. The regular spacing of teeth ensures consistent performance across different length configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A cinching and bundling tie consisting of a planar strap having multiple teeth along both edges that engage when the strap is tied around an object or objects. The tie is self engaging, re-usable, simple in design, effective in its performance, easy to use, quick to apply, and adjustable.