Collapsible Container with Movable Divider Handle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional containers are difficult to form and carry, and when preformed, they are bulky and expensive to ship.

Innovation Solution

A container design featuring a body with a side wall and bottom, equipped with a divider handle that can move between positions to divide the interior space into multiple compartments, and a collapsible structure formed from foldable panels that can be assembled from blanks, allowing for customizable compartment configurations and easy handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If containers are preformed, then they are ready to use, but they are voluminous and expensive to ship

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereadiness for useVSAvoidshipping volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into separate blanks that can be flat-packed and shipped efficiently, then assembled at the point of use to form the three-dimensional container structure with divider handles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blanks are pre-cut and pre-scored during manufacturing to enable easy assembly by the end user, while remaining flat for efficient shipping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Volume of moving object

If containers are made collapsible, then shipping costs are reduced, but assembly becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshipping volumeVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container is segmented into separate blanks and divider handle components that can be independently shipped and then easily assembled through simple insertion and folding operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The container incorporates movable divider handles that can slide between positions and collapsible sides that can fold flat, providing dynamic adaptability while maintaining simple assembly through score lines and natural foldability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If divider handles are added to containers, then compartmentalization is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompartmentalization capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The divider handles serve multiple functions: they create compartments when inserted, provide handles for carrying, and can be removed or repositioned to reconfigure the interior space according to different needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The divider handles are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing users to slide them to different positions or remove them entirely to reconfigure the container's interior layout for different carrying needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20230312205A1Containers having attachable divider handles and blanks therefor

Publication Date: 2023.10.05 WESTROCK SHARED SERVICES LLC

AI summary

A container (100, 300) configured to carry a plurality of articles includes a body (101, 301) configured to form an interior space (105, 305). The body (101, 301) includes at least a side wall (107, 307) and a bottom (109, 309). The container (101, 301) includes a divider handle (111, 311) that can be configured to attach to the body (101, 301). The divider handle (111, 311) forms a handle and at least one divider configured to divide the interior space (105, 305) into at least two compartments.