Removable Sliceform Attachment via Interlocking Tabs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for securing sliceforms to foldable articles, such as greeting cards, often result in permanent affixation, which limits removability and can waste material, and typically require adhesives.

Innovation Solution

The use of threading tabs and retaining portions through openings in the sliceform, where the retaining portions are sized to restrict movement, allowing for secure attachment without adhesives and enabling easy removal by manipulating the retaining portions to pass back through the openings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If sliceforms are permanently affixed to foldable articles using adhesives, then the attachment strength is improved, but the removability deteriorates and material waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidremovability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is divided into separate components: tabs on the foldable article and corresponding openings with retaining portions on the sliceform. This segmentation allows the sliceform to be securely attached through interlocking while maintaining the ability to be removed by manipulating the retaining portions, thus resolving the contradiction between strong attachment and ease of removal without adhesives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining portions are designed to change state between a restricted configuration (when engaged with tabs) providing strong attachment, and a manipulated configuration (when pulled through openings) enabling removal. This dynamic design allows the same structure to provide both strong attachment strength and ease of removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If adhesives are used to secure sliceforms to foldable articles, then the attachment strength is improved, but the environmental harm and material waste worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidenvironmental harm and material waste

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The chemical bonding mechanism of adhesives is replaced with a mechanical interlocking system consisting of tabs passing through openings and being retained by retaining portions. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for adhesives, preventing the environmental harm and material waste associated with adhesive disposal while maintaining secure attachment through the mechanical interlock.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If tabs and retaining portions are threaded through openings in the sliceform, then the removability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveremovabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tabs and retaining portions serve multiple functions: they provide secure attachment by interlocking, enable easy removal through manipulation, and eliminate the need for adhesives. This multi-functionality justifies the additional structural elements, as the same components achieve both secure attachment and ease of removal without requiring separate adhesive application systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11721243B2Removably securing a sliceform to a foldable article

Publication Date: 2023.08.08 HALLMARK CARDS INC

AI summary

A foldable article having a sliceform removably secured to one or more panels of the foldable article. A tab having a retaining portion may extend from at least one of the one or more panels of the foldable article. The tab may pass through an opening in the sliceform and the retaining portion may be wider than the width of the opening. The retaining member may be manipulated to pass through the opening to removably secure the sliceform to, and/or detach the sliceform from, the foldable article.