Wing-Shaped Beverage Can Pull Tab Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current can pull tabs have limited surface area for marketing messages or logos, making them less effective for promotional purposes and posing hazards due to sharp edges and detachment issues.
Innovation Solution
A wide format, wing-shaped can pull tab with a seamless design providing a large surface area for advertisements and promotional material, featuring a U-shaped curved indent for comfortable lifting and smooth edges for safe storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If traditional small pull tabs are used, then manufacturing is simple and can stacking is maintained, but surface area for marketing messages is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The pull tab is designed with a wing-shaped configuration that extends laterally in two dimensions from the center, creating left and right wings that provide substantial surface area for marketing messages without increasing the tab's footprint in the vertical stacking dimension, thus resolving the contradiction between marketing surface area and can stacking compatibility
2Ease of operation
If detachable ring tabs are used, then the tab can be removed after opening, but the tab falls back into the can creating choking hazards and sharp edges cause cuts when discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The pull tab is designed with permanently rounded edges and a stay-on configuration that prevents the tab from detaching and falling into the can, converting the potential harm of detachable tabs into a safe, permanent attachment that eliminates choking hazards and cut risks while maintaining ease of operation
3Area of moving object
If stay-on pull tabs with standard design are used, then safety hazards are reduced, but surface area for advertisements and promotional material remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pull tab is segmented into distinct functional zones including left and right wings for marketing messages, a central hinge area for attachment, and rounded edge sections for safety, allowing each segment to serve its specific purpose while collectively providing large advertising surface area without excessive overall complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
A wing shaped beverage can pull tab (10) that is wide and tall enough to accommodate advertisements, logos, slogans, contest announcements, graphics, website addresses, etchings, or other marketing, promotional or informational messages targeting the consumer of the beverage. The wing shaped can pull tab (10) can be detached from the can and stored in a pocket without causing injury because of its smooth round edges and compactness. The wing shaped can pull tab (10) is large enough that it does not fall into the can when detached and create injury or choking hazard. The wing shaped can pull tab has a U shaped lift end (IOC) that accommodates the insertion of a finger to lift the tab to actuate the opening of a can more easily. The contoured U shaped lift end (IOC) of the wing shaped can pull tab also accommodates the septum of the nose to allow consumption of the beverage from the can without having to tilt the head too far back.