Shrink-Wrapped Screw Bunches for Easier Retrieval and Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Builders face productivity issues and frustration when trying to remove a hand-size bunch of screws from a bulk pouch, as the screws tend to be oriented in multiple directions, making it difficult to grab without dropping some or taking time to orient them properly.
Innovation Solution
A screw bunch is formed with enlarged head ends staggered axially and held together by a shrink wrap plastic band, allowing for easier handling and individual retrieval, with the band structure engaging with the shanks along the perimeter to maintain the screws in a compact, oriented configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If screws are stored in a bulk pouch, then the quantity of screws available is sufficient, but the screws become oriented in multiple directions making it difficult to retrieve them without dropping or reorienting
Solution Approach 1:
The bulk pouch of screws is segmented into multiple hand-size bunches, each wrapped in shrink wrap plastic. This segmentation allows workers to retrieve one organized bunch at a time rather than digging through a bulk pouch, significantly improving ease of retrieval while maintaining adequate supply through multiple bunches.
Solution Approach 2:
The screws are pre-oriented and pre-grouped into hand-size bunches before being used by the worker. The shrink wrap plastic is applied in advance to maintain this organized configuration, eliminating the need for the worker to manually orient screws during retrieval.
2Ease of operation
If screws are grouped in a hand-size bunch without axial staggering, then the bunch is easier to hold, but the head end perimeter dimension is larger requiring more space
Solution Approach 1:
The screw heads are staggered along the axial dimension of the bunch rather than being aligned in a single plane. This axial staggering causes the head ends to overlap when viewed from the end, effectively reducing the perimeter dimension in the radial direction while maintaining ease of handling through the compact configuration.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a band structure engages with perimeter screws, then the bunch maintains its oriented configuration, but the band structure adds complexity to the assembly
Solution Approach 1:
A shrink wrap plastic band is used to engage and hold the perimeter screws of the bunch. This flexible thin film structure provides the necessary constraint to maintain oriented configuration while adding minimal complexity compared to rigid band structures. The shrink wrap plastic conforms to the screw shapes and provides stable engagement through its flexibility.
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 solution enables efficient and frustration-free retrieval of screws, improving productivity by keeping the screws oriented and preventing them from falling out or being dropped, allowing workers to quickly access them without fumbling.
Implementation Method 1
applying a shrink sleeve member around the tubular member; applying heat to the shrink sleeve member while the tubular member is in the raised position, causing the shrink sleeve member to shrink into holding contact with the one screw set
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of screws are held together in the bunch by a band structure that extends around the bunch and that engages with the shanks of a multiplicity of the screws
Data Source
AI summary
A screw bunch includes a plurality of screws grouped together in a bunch with the enlarged head end of each screw toward a first end of the bunch and the pointed tip end of each screw toward a second end of the bunch. The screws are held together in the bunch by a band structure that extends around the bunch and that engages with the shanks of a multiplicity of the screws that are located along a perimeter of the bunch. The enlarged head ends of the screws are axially staggered. The band structure may be formed by a shrink wrap plastic band that can be separated from the bunch manually to enable individual retrieval of screws from the bunch for use. A method and machinery for production of the screw bunch is also provided.