Cremation Box Corner Structure Using Interlocking Tabs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cardboard cremation boxes require sufficient strength and stiffness to contain a deceased person during transport and cremation without excessive distortion, while also needing to avoid oversized shipping fees by maintaining dimensions under 4 feet by 8 feet when unassembled.
Innovation Solution
A cremation box design featuring a base and lid made from corrugated cardboard, with specific creases, cuts, and tabs that allow for assembly into a strong structure without additional fasteners, using vertical and angled tabs to secure corners and interlock panels, enabling the use of 4 feet by 8 feet sheets without exceeding shipping size limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the cardboard sheets are made larger to provide sufficient strength and stiffness for containing the body, then the structural strength is improved, but shipping costs increase due to oversized dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The cardboard sheet is segmented into multiple functional zones including panel sections, flap sections, and tab sections. Each zone serves a specific structural purpose, allowing the sheet to achieve high strength through intelligent segmentation rather than simply increasing overall size. The segments are arranged to optimize structural efficiency within standard shipping dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The design utilizes the third dimension by creating three-dimensional structures through folding and interlocking tabs. Vertical tabs extend upward to interlock with corresponding slots, creating a rigid box structure that achieves high strength without requiring larger flat sheet dimensions. This dimensional transformation allows standard 4x8 foot sheets to produce boxes with exceptional structural integrity.
2Strength
If complex assembly mechanisms are added to increase box strength, then structural strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The box design incorporates self-assembling features where tabs and slots automatically interlock to form corner joints and secure panels. The structure is designed to assemble itself through simple insertion movements without requiring external fasteners, adhesives, or complex tools. This self-service mechanism achieves high structural strength while maintaining minimal assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple structural functions are merged into single integrated components. For example, tabs serve both as structural strengtheners and as assembly fasteners simultaneously. The corner joints combine panel connection, reinforcement, and alignment functions in a single interlocking feature, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining high strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A cremation box includes a base and a lid. The base has a rectangular bottom section with a pair of long base panels and a pair of short base panels formed by creases in the cardboard. Each of the long base panels has a pair of long base transverse edges cut along lines substantially in line with the creases between the base rectangular bottom section and the short base panels, creating a pair of flaps on opposite sides of the short base panels. When assembled, the flaps are secured to the long base panels to form four corners. The lid has a similar bottom section, long panels and short panels formed by creases, and flaps that form corners. The flaps are secured to the long panels by tabs and cuts in the panels.