Biodegradable Foldable Plant Container for Stable Nursery Planting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biodegradable nursery pots are unstable during nursery stages, require excessive resources for production, and generate waste due to non-degradability, while plastic pots release microplastics into the environment.
Innovation Solution
A foldable plant container made of biodegradable material, designed to be unfolded for transportation and storage, and folded for planting, featuring creases and locking mechanisms for stability and ease of use, allowing for space-efficient stacking and biodegradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plastic nursery pots are used, then plant stability during nursery stages is improved, but environmental pollution from microplastics and waste accumulation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from non-biodegradable plastic to biodegradable material, transforming the container's environmental impact while maintaining structural integrity during use. The biodegradable material degrades after planting, eliminating microplastic pollution while providing sufficient stability during the nursery stage.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If biodegradable pots are made from moulded material, then biodegradability is improved, but production cost and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the biodegradable container into multiple flat panels that can be manufactured separately and assembled through folding. This segmentation allows for simpler, less resource-intensive manufacturing compared to traditional moulding processes, reducing production costs while maintaining biodegradability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic folding mechanisms that transform flat panels into a three-dimensional container structure. This dynamic assembly process eliminates the need for complex moulding operations, reducing production resources and costs while preserving the biodegradable material properties.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If biodegradable pots are made from moulded material, then biodegradability is improved, but production resources and water use increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into separate flat panels that require minimal water for manufacturing compared to moulded pots. The segmentation allows for dry assembly through folding and locking mechanisms, significantly reducing water consumption in the production process.
Solution Approach 2:
The flat panels are pre-cut and pre-creased during manufacturing, allowing for rapid assembly with minimal additional resources. This preliminary preparation reduces the need for water-intensive finishing operations and enables efficient post-manufacturing assembly.
4Volume of stationary object
If foldable container design is implemented, then space efficiency during transport is improved, but structural stability during use may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into multiple flat panels connected by folding joints, allowing compact storage when collapsed and stable configuration when assembled. The segmentation enables space-efficient transport while maintaining structural integrity through the interconnected panel design.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding creases and locking mechanisms are pre-formed during manufacturing, ensuring that when the container is assembled, the panels lock into stable positions. This preliminary preparation guarantees structural stability during use while preserving the foldable design for compact storage.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a biodegradable foldable plant container (1). The foldable container (1) comprises a plurality of first side walls (40a), each comprising two side flanges (42), and second side walls (40b), each comprising a top flange (43). The side walls (40) comprise at least one side folding crease (41) positioned between a side wall (40a) and a side flange (42) on the first side wall (40a), and/or between a side wall (40b) and a top flange (43) on the second side wall (40b). The foldable container further comprises a bottom (50) defined by a plurality of bottom folding creases (51), positioned between a side wall (40) and the bottom (50). The container can take an unfolded position (10) for transportation and/or storage and a folded position (20) defining a container configured for receiving a plant growth medium (30). In the folded position (20): - at least one side folding crease (41) is folded, preferably six side folding creases (41) are folded; - at least one bottom folding crease (51) is folded, preferably four bottom folding creases (51) are folded; and - a second side wall (40b) and the top flange (43) of said second side wall (40b) enclose at least partially two side flanges (42), wherein said two side flanges (42) are from two opposing first side walls (40a).