Stapler Cutting Portion Side Inlet Design for Staple Collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional staplers face issues with cut staples being dropped outside or staying in the temporary receiving portion due to complex discharging paths and downward introduction openings, leading to unreliable staple collection.

Innovation Solution

A stapler design with a cutting portion featuring introduction ports on side surfaces and a discharging path with a temporary receiving portion that includes inlet ports on side surfaces, preventing staples from being dropped outside and ensuring reliable collection by guiding them into the discharging path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If downward openings are used as introduction portions for cut staples, then the structure is simple, but cut staples may be dropped from the introduction portions to the outside

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidstaple collection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the orientation of the introduction portion from a downward opening to a side surface opening. This dimensional change in the opening direction prevents cut staples from being dropped outside while maintaining structural simplicity, effectively resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the lower surface of the temporary receiving portion is opened for discharging cut staples, then the discharging path is simple, but cut staples may stay in the temporary receiving portion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarging path complexityVSAvoidstaple collection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of opening the lower surface of the temporary receiving portion for discharging, the patent inverts the approach by providing a discharging path that communicates with the side surface opening. This inverted configuration prevents staples from staying in the temporary receiving portion while keeping the discharging path simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If the discharging path is made complex to collect cut staples, then staple collection is improved, but the discharging path becomes complex and staples may still stay in the temporary receiving portion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestaple collection reliabilityVSAvoiddischarging path complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the discharging function by providing a separate discharging path that is distinct from the introduction portion. This segmentation allows for reliable staple collection through a simple, dedicated discharge route, avoiding the need for a complex integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10882173B2Stapler

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 MAX CO LTD

AI summary

The cutting portion includes a pair of introduction portions allowing the staple legs penetrating the sheets of paper to be introduced therein, a pair of cutting members configured to cut the staple legs introduced in the introduction portions, and a discharging path configured to discharge cut staples cut by the cutting members. The discharging path includes a temporary receiving portion for the cut staples provided between the pair of introduction portions. The temporary receiving portion includes a pair of inlet portions respectively provided on side surfaces thereof opposing the introduction portions. The pair of inlet portions are configured to allow the cut staples cut by the cutting members to enter therein.