Variable-Width Lanyard for Visibility and Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lanyards face issues with low-quality ID card visibility, increased manufacturing costs due to dual-sided printing, and discomfort caused by movement and twisting, which complicates the display of promotional information and increases the risk of incorrect ID identification.
Innovation Solution
A lanyard design featuring a flexible, elongate material with a printed front face and an optional narrower section around the neck for comfort, incorporating digital printing for high-quality images and QR codes, and structural features to ensure the front face remains visible while discouraging incorrect wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ID cards are attached to lanyards for identification, then identification function is provided, but picture quality is low and visibility is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies digital printing technology to print high-quality photographs and identification information directly onto the lanyard fabric. This creates a high-resolution copy of the identification data integrated into the lanyard itself, eliminating the need for separate low-quality ID cards while maintaining or improving identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the identification function with the lanyard structure by printing identification information, photographs, and promotional content directly onto the lanyard. This combines multiple functions (identification, promotion, and carrying) into a single integrated product, improving picture quality while maintaining identification capability.
2Loss of information
If promotional printing is applied to both sides of the lanyard to ensure visibility, then promotional information is always visible, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies printing only to specific local areas of the lanyard where visibility is naturally ensured by the wearing position. Rather than printing both sides entirely, it strategically places promotional and identification information in zones that are naturally visible during normal wear, reducing material and printing costs while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the lanyard with predetermined visible zones that are optimized for displaying information during normal wear. By pre-placing identification and promotional content in these naturally visible areas, the design ensures information visibility without requiring dual-sided printing, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Area of stationary object
If lanyards are made wide enough to display printed text, then promotional information is visible, but comfort decreases due to neck pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent varies the width of the lanyard at different locations to optimize both comfort and visibility. The neck-contact portion is narrowed to reduce pressure and improve comfort, while the lower portion is widened to provide sufficient area for printing identification and promotional information. This local variation in width resolves the contradiction between comfort and information display area.
4Adaptability or versatility
If lanyards move and twist during wear, then flexibility is maintained, but promotional printing becomes difficult to read and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lanyard into distinct functional sections with different properties. The upper section near the neck is designed with narrower width and specific structural features that reduce twisting and maintain stability, while the lower section provides flexibility for movement. This segmentation allows the lanyard to maintain necessary flexibility while minimizing unwanted twisting that would compromise printed information readability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
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AI summary
This invention relates to a lanyard. The lanyard comprises an elongate material having opposing front and back faces, the front face being printed. The lanyard further comprises first, second and third sections, the first, second and third sections being disposed sequentially along the length of the lanyard such that the second section is located between the first and third sections. The second section has a cross-sectional width which is less than a cross-sectional width of both of the first and third sections. The lanyard is arranged such that, in use, the printed front face is visible.