Waste Collector Rigidity via Longitudinal Fold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal waste collector devices lack sufficient rigidity and load-bearing capacity, making them difficult to use in windy conditions and impractical for collecting liquids without spillage, and they are often bulky and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A collector device with an elongate handle and loop portion made of self-supporting sheet material featuring a longitudinal fold, which increases rigidity and load-bearing capacity when partially folded, allowing for improved handling and containment of animal waste, including liquids, while being lightweight and economically manufactured.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the handle and loop portions are made of lightweight self-supporting sheet material held planar, then the device is lightweight and economical to manufacture, but the load-bearing capacity in cantilever is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the handle and loop portions from a two-dimensional planar configuration to a three-dimensional partially folded structure. The longitudinal fold creates a V-shaped cross-section that utilizes the width of the sheet material for load-bearing rather than just the thickness, dramatically increasing structural strength while maintaining lightweight properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameter of the handle and loop portions by introducing a longitudinal fold that creates a V-shaped conformation. This geometric parameter change transforms the mechanical properties of the sheet material, enabling it to bear significant cantilever loads without increasing material thickness or weight.
2Strength
If the handle and loop portions are made with increased rigidity to support loaded receptacle in cantilever, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the device becomes more difficult to position in windy conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic structure where the handle and loop portions can be flexibly positioned when empty for easy handling and positioning, but automatically gain rigidity when loaded. The V-shaped folded structure provides just enough rigidity to support the loaded receptacle in cantilever while remaining manageable during empty positioning operations.
3Ease of manufacture
If the handle and loop portions are made planar for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the rigidity and load-bearing capacity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the handle and loop portions along a longitudinal fold line, creating two distinct sections that can be folded relative to each other. This segmentation transforms the manufacturing process from creating a complex rigid structure to simply forming a fold in sheet material, while the folded configuration itself provides the necessary rigidity.
Data Source
AI summary
A collector device (1) includes an elongate handle portion (2) having a loop portion (4) attached at one end. The loop portion (4) supports a receptacle (12) which comprises an upwardly facing, in use, deposition surface (16). The handle (2) and loop portions (4) are of a self supporting sheet material and have a longitudinal fold in the sheet material (8) running along the length of the handle portion (2) and continuing across the whole loop portion (4). The device (1) may be deployed with the handle (2) and loop portions (4) both held partially folded along the longitudinal fold (8) in a V or inverted V conformation to provide increased rigidity and increased load bearing capacity, in cantilever, in comparison with a device where the handle and loop portions are held horizontally planar.