Corrugated Plastic Folding Container Asymmetric Hinges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional corrugated plastic folding containers face challenges in folding efficiency, assembly labor, interference during folding, poor box strength, and susceptibility to deformation and contamination due to asymmetrical hinge positions and half-cut hinges, which hinder the creation of a stable long folding container configuration.
Innovation Solution
A corrugated plastic long folding container design featuring symmetrical hinge positions, column members, and welded structures to ensure easy assembly, prevent interference, enhance box strength, and maintain air-tightness, with specific incision configurations allowing for the superposition of middle side panels and secure sealing of corners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If asymmetrical hinge positions are used to fold bulky side panels, then the container can be folded to produce a low profile, but the container becomes extremely laborious in regard to assembly and folding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by providing different hinge positions for left and right side panels - specifically, the left side panel has a hinge positioned higher than the right side panel hinge. This asymmetric configuration enables the bulky side panels to fold into a compact low profile while maintaining manufacturability through standard symmetric panel production processes.
2Shape
If multiple hinges are provided on side panels to decrease bulk, then the container can be folded in multiple layers, but additional labor is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the side panels by providing multiple hinges at different heights (first hinge and second hinge on each side panel). This segmentation allows the side panels to be folded into multiple layers, reducing bulk effectively. The specific hinge placement enables systematic folding sequences that minimize manual intervention while achieving compact storage configuration.
3Ease of operation
If half-cut hinges are provided mid-way along the height direction, then the container can be folded, but the left and right side panels will interfere with each other when height is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the interference problem by transitioning from a single-height folding mechanism to a multi-level hinge system. By providing first and second hinges at different vertical positions, the side panels can fold through multiple dimensional stages, allowing increased height without interference between left and right panels during the folding process.
4Length of moving object
If the height dimension is made larger than the width dimension for long folding containers, then the container can store taller items, but the container becomes unwieldy when side panels are knocked down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by configuring the side panels to fold inward and nest within the body of the container when collapsed. The strategically positioned hinges enable the high side panels to be folded back and stored inside the container's width dimension, transforming a tall unwieldy shape into a compact portable form factor that maintains storage capability when upright.
Data Source
AI summary
A long corrugated plastic folding container, having a folding structure in which a first side panel and latch side panel that oppose each other are provided from a floor panel, a first incision having the same height is provided in the first side panels, third incisions are provided thereabove, second incisions are provided therebelow, a second side panel is provided towards the front and rear edges of the floor panel, frames are attached to the upper end parts of the first side panels and second side panels, the first incisions of the first side panels fold inwards, and the second incisions and third incisions fold outwards, where the height dimension of the first side panel is greater than the short edge dimension, and, above the third incision serves as an upper short side panel, below the third incision and above the second incision.