Wristband Carrier With Offset Snap Closure And Relieved Edge
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Prior wristbands without laminated protection for wearer information are prone to early failure and errors in medical applications due to harsh environments, leading to increased costs from frequent replacements and errors.
Innovation Solution
A wristband design featuring a carrier with an offset toe extension and a snap closure positioned off-center, securely mounting a laminated ID label between the pin and the fold of the toe, providing protection and automatic correct positioning, along with a relieved edge for comfort and reduced material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple vinyl wristband with paper label is used, then initial wristband cost is reduced, but reliability of information protection deteriorates due to early label failure in harsh medical environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wristband carrier and ID label into a single integrated laminated structure, where the label is laminated directly onto the carrier during manufacturing. This merging eliminates the separate application step and ensures permanent attachment, preventing label failure in harsh medical environments while maintaining cost-effectiveness through integrated production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by laminating the ID label with the vinyl carrier material to create a durable, water-resistant, and chemically resistant wristband. This composite structure protects the printed information from degradation in harsh medical environments including exposure to bodily fluids, sterilization processes, and frequent handling.
2Reliability
If a laminated protective layer is added to protect wearer information, then reliability of information protection is improved, but wristband cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wristband carrier and ID label into a single integrated laminated structure, where the label is laminated directly onto the carrier during manufacturing. This merging eliminates the separate application step and ensures permanent attachment, preventing label failure in harsh medical environments while maintaining cost-effectiveness through integrated production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the laminated protective layer during the initial wristband manufacturing process rather than as a separate post-processing step. This preliminary action integrates the protection function into the base product creation, avoiding additional handling and application costs that would increase the final price.
3Ease of manufacture
If a centered snap closure design is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but positioning precision of ID label deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an asymmetric design where the snap closure is deliberately positioned off-center relative to the panel and strap. This asymmetric positioning creates a unique geometric relationship that serves as a built-in alignment reference, ensuring the ID label is automatically positioned correctly during assembly without requiring additional precision mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The off-center snap closure design enables self-alignment of the ID label during wristband assembly. The geometric constraints created by the offset closure position automatically guide the label into correct placement without requiring separate alignment steps or additional positioning features, making the precision built into the design itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A wristband is assembled from a flexible preferably vinyl carrier and a preferably laminated ID label, the carrier having a panel portion and a strap portion with a snap closure located in a toe extension at the end of the carrier adjacent the panel. The strap has a series of holes, one of which is captured within the snap closure to attach the wristband to the wearer's limb. The laminated ID label has a pair of opposing slots, one of which slips over the strap to abut the panel and the other of which is captured by the snap closure to attach the label to the carrier. The panel portion has a relieved edge formed along its opposing sides which increases the comfort of the wristband as it is worn.