Multi-sided Bliss Container Diagonal Corner Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shipping containers, such as Bliss-style and Defor™ containers, face challenges in achieving superior stacking strength and resistance to distortion under transverse forces due to weak areas at the corners and inefficient utilization of corrugator width during manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A multi-sided shipping container design featuring a wrapper blank secured onto two end pieces with diagonal corner panels and reinforcement flaps, allowing for horizontal orientation of corrugations and enhanced compression strength, while using lightweight materials for the wrapper and heavier materials for the end pieces to optimize stacking strength and manufacturing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If corrugations are oriented vertically to enhance compression strength, then stacking strength is improved, but corrugator width utilization becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical corrugation orientation to horizontal corrugation orientation, changing the dimensional arrangement of the corrugations. This allows the container to achieve compression strength through a different structural mechanism (double wall lamination at ends) while enabling more efficient utilization of corrugator width during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the corrugations from vertical to horizontal. This parameter change, combined with modifications to the end structure (double wall lamination), allows the container to maintain compression strength while improving manufacturing efficiency and corrugator width utilization.
2Strength
If diagonal corner panels are added to increase stacking strength, then resistance to distortion is improved, but weak areas are created at the bottom corners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the diagonal corner panel with the reinforcement flap to form an integrated corner structure. The reinforcement flap extends from the end panel and overlaps with the diagonal corner panel, creating a combined structural element that provides both stacking strength and corner integrity without the weak areas associated with separate diagonal panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite corner structure by combining the diagonal corner panel with the reinforcement flap that has double wall lamination. This composite construction at the corners provides enhanced strength and integrity, eliminating the weak areas that would exist with diagonal panels alone.
3Strength
If double wall lamination is created at end walls to achieve high compression levels, then stacking strength is improved, but material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies double wall lamination specifically at the end walls and corner regions where compression forces are concentrated, rather than throughout the entire container. This localized application of enhanced material structure provides the necessary stacking strength while minimizing overall material usage compared to uniform double wall construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the container structure into different zones with different material configurations: double wall lamination at the ends and corners for strength, and single wall construction for the sidewalls and top/bottom to reduce material usage. This segmentation allows optimization of material distribution based on structural requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-sided container comprising a bottom wall, a top wall, opposite side walls, opposite end walls, a longitudinal axis and a plurality of diagonal corner walls all are cooperating with one another to form an interior space. At least one of the plurality of diagonal corner walls defined by at least one diagonal corner panel and at least one reinforcement flap overlapping one another and wherein a portion of the bottom wall projects under and beyond a bottom edge of the at least one diagonal corner wall. The at least one reinforcement flap extends from longitudinal ends of the respective opposite side walls. At least one end flap extends from long side of the reinforcement flap and the at least one end flap projects beyond an entire surface of the at least one diagonal corner wall terminating its edge at the end wall.