Collapsible Sheet-Goods Display Bin With Tool-Free Flat-Pack Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current art-viewing bins are bulky, heavy, and cumbersome, requiring tools for assembly and disassembly, making them costly and time-consuming, and limiting the amount of art that can be displayed effectively.
Innovation Solution
A compact, collapsible five-piece art bin with a sturdy design using light materials, featuring dovetail joints for easy assembly and disassembly without tools, allowing for efficient transportation and display of an unlimited amount of sheet goods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional wooden or welded metal structures are used for art bins, then strength and stability are improved, but weight and bulk increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The bin is divided into multiple discrete components including side walls, end walls, a base, and a lid, each made from individual sheet material pieces. These segmented components are connected through folding and joining operations, allowing the structure to maintain strength while reducing overall weight compared to solid wooden or metal constructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes thin sheet material (such as cardboard, poster board, or thin metal sheets) to form the bin structure. These thin film-like materials are folded and joined to create a rigid box structure, achieving strength-to-weight ratio improvements over traditional thick wooden or metal constructions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional multi-piece constructions with bolts and screws are used, then structural stability is improved, but assembly complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bin employs dynamic assembly characteristics where flat sheet components are transformed into a three-dimensional structure through folding operations. The design allows the structure to transition from a collapsed flat state to an assembled box state, with interlocking folds providing stability without requiring fasteners. This dynamic transformation simplifies assembly while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple structural functions are merged into single components. For example, the side walls incorporate both structural support and articulation hinges in their folded construction, while the lid integrates both covering function and structural reinforcement. This merging reduces the total number of separate parts and eliminates the need for additional fastening hardware.
3Quantity of substance
If bulky designs are used to display sufficient art, then display capacity is improved, but transportation efficiency and storage space decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The bin design allows the lid to nest within or upon the body of the bin when collapsed, and the entire structure can be flattened into a compact configuration for transportation. The nested folding pattern enables the bin to reduce its volume dramatically when not in use, while maintaining full display capacity when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The bin transitions dynamically between two states: a expanded three-dimensional configuration that provides ample display capacity for sheet goods, and a collapsed flat configuration that minimizes transportation and storage volume. The folded construction enables this dynamic transformation while maintaining structural integrity in both states.
Data Source
AI summary
Display bins for sheet goods which are easily assembled and disassembled are formed of bottom panels, front and rear display panels for holding sheet goods at suitable angles from the vertical for display. The front and rear display panels can be removably attached to both the bottom panel and at least two support brackets for use. All the components can be separated and stacked in a flat package for shipment or storage.