Collapsible Container Wall Structure for Shape Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible containers lack structural strength and resistance to deformation, leading to potential damage or spillage when subjected to lateral forces, as they are not self-supporting in all states and fail to maintain shape retention effectively.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible container design featuring a rigid middle tier surrounded by flexible tiers, with living hinges for snap-through movement and stability, allowing the container to be self-supporting in both expanded and collapsed states, and optionally reinforced with adhesive or mechanical fasteners for enhanced structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the wall section is made flexible to enable collapsing, then the container can be compacted for storage and transport, but the wall section offers little resistance to lateral forces and deforms easily
Solution Approach 1:
The wall section is divided into multiple discrete segments (first wall segment, second wall segment, third wall segment) that can fold relative to each other. This segmentation allows the wall to collapse into a compact configuration for storage while maintaining structural integrity when expanded, as each segment can independently absorb and distribute lateral forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The container combines rigid components (rim, base, and the segmented wall structure with reinforcement elements) with flexible connection elements (hinges, latches). This composite construction provides both the flexibility needed for collapsing and the strength required to resist deformation when in use.
2Ease of operation
If the wall material is made flexible enough to fold, then the container can collapse to compact dimensions, but the material offers little resistance to deformation from lateral forces
Solution Approach 1:
The wall structure transitions from a static rigid form to a dynamic segmented structure that can change configuration. The segments are connected by hinges that allow controlled movement between expanded and collapsed states, enabling the wall to adapt its shape while maintaining structural reliability through the rigid reinforcement elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the wall structure have different properties: the wall segments are made flexible for folding, while reinforcement elements and connection points are made rigid for strength. This local differentiation of material properties allows the structure to exhibit both flexibility where needed and rigidity where structural support is required.
3Strength
If a rigid structure is used, then the container maintains structural strength, but the container cannot collapse to compact dimensions for storage
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid wall is segmented into multiple sections that can fold relative to each other. When collapsed, these segments fold against each other to reduce the overall volume to a fraction of the expanded state, yet the rigid material and reinforcement elements maintain structural integrity throughout the transformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented wall sections nest within each other when collapsed, with each segment folding against the adjacent segments. This nesting arrangement minimizes the storage volume while the rigid construction of each segment ensures that structural strength is maintained even in the compact configuration.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the container is made collapsible, then it can be stored compactly, but it is not self-supporting in collapsed or intermediate states
Solution Approach 1:
The wall is divided into multiple segments that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the container to maintain stability in various configurations (fully expanded, fully collapsed, or intermediate states) as each segment can be held in place by the hinge and latch mechanisms, providing self-supporting capability without requiring external support structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed to be self-supporting in all states through its own structural features. The rigid rim, base, and segmented wall sections with reinforcement elements work together to provide structural support, while the hinge and latch mechanisms enable the wall to maintain its position without external assistance, allowing the container to support itself in expanded, collapsed, and intermediate configurations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design provides improved shape retention and structural integrity, ensuring the container remains stable and functional across its volume range, preventing deformation and spillage, while facilitating easy expansion and collapse for storage and use.
Implementation Method 1
each flexible tier is provided with two living hinges comprising very narrow annular bands of flexible material, at which the material suddenly tapers down to a sharply reduced thickness
Data Source
AI summary
Collapsible household containers having a foldable wall section with shape-retaining characteristics are disclosed. In particular, collapsible laundry baskets, buckets, colanders, dish drainers, and cups are provided. The folding region may include foldable tiers of a flexible material, each tier having at least one stable, relatively expanded position and at least one stable, relatively collapsed position; and an intervening, non-folding tier composed of a different, relatively rigid material.