Door-Mounted Parcel Container With Foldable Textile Volume Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing parcel containers do not efficiently adapt their interior volume to accommodate parcels of varying shapes and sizes, and they lack the ability to adjust their size after a package is inserted, often resulting in unnecessary space usage.

Innovation Solution

The container features textile side walls with specific folding patterns, including alternating inward and outward folds, and triangular sub-fields that allow for customizable volume adjustment by folding in a zigzag or accordion-like manner, ensuring a defined shape and size that matches the package, with stitching to maintain integrity and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the container uses fixed rigid walls, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability to different parcel shapes and sizes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to parcel shapes
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The container uses textile side walls instead of rigid walls, allowing the container to flex and adapt to different parcel shapes while maintaining structural integrity. The textile material provides both flexibility for adaptation and sufficient strength for stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The container transitions from a static fixed-volume design to a dynamic adjustable-volume design, where the side walls can be folded and unfolded to match the dimensions of different parcels, optimizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If the container is designed with maximum volume, then the capacity to accommodate large parcels is improved, but the space efficiency when holding small parcels deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparcel capacityVSAvoidcontainer volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The container volume is made dynamically adjustable through foldable side walls with fold lines that enable the walls to collapse inward. This allows the container to reduce its volume when holding small parcels while maintaining the capacity to expand for large parcels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The side walls are segmented into multiple panels connected by fold lines, allowing independent folding of each section. This segmentation enables progressive volume reduction by folding individual wall sections inward based on the parcel size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the side walls are made foldable, then the volume adaptability is improved, but the structural strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume adaptabilityVSAvoidside wall strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Textile side walls provide sufficient strength for parcel containment while enabling foldability. The textile material's inherent tensile strength maintains structural integrity during folding and unfolding operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The fold lines are pre-formed and reinforced in the textile side walls during manufacturing, ensuring that the folding mechanism maintains structural strength. The pre-established fold lines prevent random tearing and ensure controlled folding behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of manufacture

If the container maintains a fixed shape, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the ability to optimize space for different parcels deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidspace optimization capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The side walls are divided into multiple panels with fold lines, allowing the container to be manufactured from flat textile pieces that are sewn together. This segmented design enables both relative manufacturing simplicity and post-manufacturing volume adjustment through folding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2992788B1Container for sending or receiving a packet or package
Publication Date: 2018.08.08 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP2992788B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2992788B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2992788B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a container for a parcel or packet to be sent or received, which can be attached to the door (1) of a property, in particular without structural intervention, comprising a base element (2) and a cover element (3) through which a shipment can be placed in the container or removed from the container, the base element (2) and the cover element (3) being connected to one another by foldable side walls (8, 11) and the cover element (3) and base element (2) being folded together or at least partial unfolding of the side walls (8, 11) are movable relative to one another, in particular in the vertical direction, in which the foldable side walls (8, 11) in the unfolded state form a textile tube extending vertically between the base element (3) and the cover element (2), which delimits an interior space with an at least essentially horizontal, rectangular cross-section and/or in which the floor element (2) is connected indirectly via a B floor element (2), an articulated pivoting element (6), a fastening element (7), in particular a textile strap (7) with at least one thickening, which can be inserted into the gap between a door leaf and the door frame or a door leaf and the floor.