Corrugated Cooler Latch Structure for Secure Closure and Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coolers lack secure closure mechanisms and adequate structural strength during manual lifting, particularly when made from corrugated materials like cardboard.
Innovation Solution
A cooler made from a single sheet of corrugated material is designed with a latching panel, reinforcing handle attachment panels, and a waterproof coating, featuring a latching mechanism and reinforced handles for secure closure and enhanced structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a cooler is made from corrugated material like cardboard, then it is lightweight and easy to manufacture, but it lacks structural strength during manual lifting
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler is divided into multiple panels (front, back, side panels, top panel, bottom panel) that are connected through folding lines. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain flexibility while distributing mechanical loads across multiple connection points, enhancing overall structural strength without adding significant weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooler utilizes a three-dimensional box structure with vertical and horizontal panels connected at corners. This dimensional arrangement provides structural rigidity through the geometric configuration, allowing the lightweight corrugated material to resist deformation during manual lifting by distributing forces across the three-dimensional framework.
2Ease of manufacture
If a cooler is made from corrugated material like cardboard, then it is easy to manufacture, but it lacks secure closure mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
Tabs are pre-formed on the top panel and latching panels during the manufacturing process, positioned to automatically engage with corresponding slots when the cooler is closed. This preliminary formation of closure elements ensures secure closure without requiring additional manufacturing steps or complex assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism is designed to automatically engage and secure the cooler closure through the interaction of tabs and slots. When the cooler is closed, the tabs automatically insert into the slots and lock the panels in place, providing secure closure without requiring external fastening actions or additional components.
3Volume of moving object
If the cooler is designed to collapse for storage, then it saves space, but it may compromise structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler incorporates fold lines at strategic locations that allow the structure to dynamically transition between expanded and collapsed states. These fold lines are positioned to maintain structural integrity during use while enabling compact folding for storage, as the panels can articulate relative to each other without compromising the strength of the material or connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooler panels are designed to nest within each other when collapsed, with side panels folding inward and the top panel folding down over the front panel. This nesting arrangement achieves compact storage volume while maintaining structural integrity because the corrugated material and panel connections remain intact throughout the folding process.
Data Source
AI summary
A box is made by folding a sheet of material. Preferably, the box is formed by applying adhesive and folding using a machine, and a waterproof or water resistant coating is applied so that the box is configured for use as a cooler. The box includes (a) a storage portion, including a bottom panel, a first end panel, a second end panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel; (b) four corner panels; (c) a top panel including tabs; and (d) a latching panel attached to the first side panel and pivotable relative thereto about a fold line, the latching panel including first and second subpanels. The latching panel includes cuts extending between and dividing the first and second subpanels through which the tabs respectively extend when the cooler is in a closed position.