Modular Cardboard Display Structure With Reinforced Shelf Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modular cardboard displays face challenges in achieving mechanical resistance and stability for effective product display, handling, storage, and transportation, while maintaining aesthetic appeal.

Innovation Solution

A modular cardboard tower-like display structure comprising die-cut cardboard sheets with fold lines forming tubular edges and hub-shaped connecting elements, along with straight tubes, providing a double-reinforced shelf design and orthogonal arms for secure assembly and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If modular cardboard boxes are used for handling and storage, then ease of handling and storage is improved, but mechanical resistance and stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of handlingVSAvoidmechanical resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The display structure is divided into modular components (shelves, columns, connecting elements) that can be independently handled, stored, and assembled. Each shelf unit is a self-contained module with integrated corner columns and connecting elements, allowing easy handling while maintaining structural integrity through the segmented design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite construction combining cardboard material with reinforced corner columns and connecting elements. The corner columns act as structural reinforcement points, creating a composite structure that enhances mechanical resistance while maintaining the lightweight cardboard base material for ease of handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If modular cardboard boxes are used for storage, then storage efficiency is improved, but stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The display is segmented into standardized modular units that can be efficiently stacked and stored. Each module has consistent dimensions and connection points, enabling compact storage arrangements while maintaining structural stability through uniform connection geometries across all modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular design allows nested storage where smaller display units can be stored within or alongside larger units. The corner columns and connecting elements are designed to nest efficiently, maximizing storage space utilization while preserving the stability of individual modules during storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of manufacture

If simple holding strips are used for assembly, then ease of manufacture is improved, but stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting elements are segmented into standardized components with predefined connection geometries. This segmentation allows for simple manufacturing processes while ensuring stable connections, as each segment can be independently manufactured and then assembled through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting elements utilize parameter optimization in their geometry and material properties to achieve stable connections through simple assembly processes. The connection parameters (dimensions, shapes, material characteristics) are specifically designed to provide adequate stability while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3138440B1Modular structure for a tower-type display stand made of cardboard
Publication Date: 2018.11.07 MIARNAU FERNANDEZ JULIO
  • EP3138440B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3138440B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3138440B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a modular structure for a cardboard tower-like display, made up of shelf modules (a) each of which is made up of a cardboard sheet with a four-sided central area (10) whose corners form incoming vertexes (12) and whose sides are folding and flapping lines with respective flaps thereof; together with straight tubes which feature stud modules (b), with the same cross section than the perimeter tubular edges (11) of each shelf module (a), and connecting elements in the shape of corner studs (c), each of which has a central part (30) with arms (31), (32) and (33) projected into three orthogonal spatial directions which fit into the concurrent ends of the tubular edges (11) of each shelf module (a), and the ends corresponding to the tubes which constitute the stud modules (b).