Two-Stage Product Locking Assembly for Damage-Free Product Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional packaging fasteners are difficult to remove, leading to frustration for consumers and environmental waste, while existing solutions do not adequately secure products to display panels without damaging packaging.
Innovation Solution
A product locking assembly with a locking element and receiving element that allows one-way insertion, featuring projections and deformable portions to secure the product to the display panel, and an optional packaging lock to prevent removal without damaging the packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fasteners are used to secure products to packaging, then the product is securely retained, but the fasteners are difficult to remove causing consumer frustration
Solution Approach 1:
The locking assembly is divided into separate components: a locking element with projections and a receiving element with corresponding recesses. This segmentation allows the fastener to be inserted easily through the packaging while requiring deliberate action (breaking the packaging) for removal, resolving the contradiction between secure retention and ease of removal.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing a fastener that is easy to remove, the patent inverts the approach by making the packaging itself the removal mechanism. The packaging must be broken or torn to access and remove the locking element, transforming the packaging from a barrier to a tool for easy removal.
2Reliability
If strong locking mechanisms are used to prevent theft, then product security is improved, but the packaging becomes environmentally detrimental with additional waste
Solution Approach 1:
The locking assembly is integrated with the packaging structure itself, with the locking element and receiving element forming part of the package design. This merging eliminates the need for separate fasteners and enables recycling of the entire package, reducing environmental impact while maintaining theft prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking assembly is designed to be recovered and reused. The locking element can be removed from the packaging and reused on other packages, while the packaging material itself can be recycled. This approach reduces waste and environmental impact while maintaining security functionality.
3Reliability
If conventional fasteners are used to secure products, then product retention is achieved, but removing the fasteners damages the packaging
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging is pre-designed with integrated locking elements and receiving structures that are part of the original packaging construction. This preliminary integration ensures that removal of the product does not damage the packaging, as the locking mechanism is designed to be removed cleanly along with the product.
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
A package (10) having a product locking feature is disclosed; the package (10) includes a product display panel (16) to which a product (12) is secured with a product locking assembly (24). The product locking assembly (24) includes a locking element (26) and a receiving element (28) being disposed in or attached to the product (12), the locking element (26) being one-way insertable into the receiving element (28) in two stages, the first stage being for securing the product display panel (16) to the product (12) and the second stage being further insertion of the locking element (26) into the receiving element (28) after the product (12) is removed from the product display panel (16).