Collapsible Delivery Container with Flexible Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing delivery containers are rigid, bulky, and heavy, occupying the same physical space whether full or empty, and are limited in their use across different delivery vehicle types, making them inefficient for last mile delivery and storage.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible and lightweight container made of flexible materials with panels that transition between a collapsed and expanded state, allowing for reduced stowage volume when empty and increased volume for packaged items, designed to fit various delivery vehicles and meet ergonomic handling criteria.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid and bulky design is used for delivery containers, then safe retention and transportation of packaged items is enabled, but the container becomes heavy and occupies the same physical space whether full or empty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafe retention and transportationVSAvoidcontainer weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The container employs collapsible panels that can transition between expanded and collapsed states, allowing the container to dynamically adjust its volume and weight characteristics based on whether it is in use or stored, resolving the contradiction between maintaining structural integrity for safe transport and reducing weight when empty

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The container uses flexible panel structures instead of rigid walls, enabling the container to collapse to a compact form when empty while maintaining sufficient structural strength to safely retain and transport packaged items when in use, thereby reducing weight without compromising reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If rigid and bulky design is used for delivery containers, then safe retention and transportation of packaged items is enabled, but the container occupies the same physical space regardless if full or empty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafe retention and transportationVSAvoidcontainer volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The container employs collapsible panels that can transition between expanded and collapsed states, allowing the container to dynamically adjust its volume based on whether it is in use or stored, resolving the contradiction between maintaining structural integrity for safe transport and reducing volume when empty

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The container uses flexible panel structures instead of rigid walls, enabling the container to collapse to a compact form when empty while maintaining sufficient structural strength to safely retain and transport packaged items when in use, thereby reducing volume without compromising reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If rigid design is used for delivery containers, then safe retention of packaged items is enabled, but the container is limited in use across different delivery vehicle types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafe retentionVSAvoidcompatibility with delivery vehicle types
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The container employs collapsible panels that allow the container to adapt its size and shape, enabling it to fit into various delivery vehicle types while maintaining safe retention capabilities when in use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible panel design allows the container to conform to different spatial constraints of various delivery vehicles, enhancing adaptability across different vehicle types while preserving structural integrity for safe item retention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Volume of moving object

If collapsible and flexible material is used, then stowage volume is reduced when empty, but the container must meet ergonomic handling criteria and fit various delivery vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestowage volumeVSAvoidergonomic handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into multiple collapsible panels that can be independently folded and collapsed, allowing the container to reduce to a compact stowage volume while maintaining manageable size and weight for ergonomic handling by delivery personnel

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10405621B2Collapsible, lightweight container for sorting and delivery of packaged items
Publication Date: 2019.09.10 AMAZON TECH INC
  • US10405621B2 patent drawing
  • US10405621B2 patent drawing
  • US10405621B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A container is described, which may be used as part of item sortation within a facility, as well as item deliveries to end locations. In an example, the container may be configured to transition between a collapsed state and an expanded state. The container may include a loading panel and an unloading panel. The loading panel may include a fastener such that an opening can be selectively created and closed in the expanded state. Accordingly, packaged items may be inserted and securely retained in the container through the loading panel. The unloading panel may also include a fastener such that an opening can be selectively created and closed in the expanded state. Accordingly, the packaged items may be unloaded from the container through this opening. The container may also be dimensioned to facilitate stowage of the container in the collapsed state and loading/unloading of packaged items in the expanded state.