Flower box

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flower boxes for pallets can only accommodate two units vertically, making it laborious to attach multiple boxes and limiting design options, as they are not easily insertable into the spaces between pallet boards.

Innovation Solution

The flower box design incorporates slot-shaped passage openings and locking tongues that allow additional boxes to be hung in front of existing ones, enabling multiple boxes to be attached to a Euro pallet, with features like inclined side walls and chamfers for easier insertion and support, and a one-piece plastic molding for cost-effective production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional flower boxes with flanges are used on pallets, then two flower boxes can be attached vertically, but attaching more flower boxes is laborious and limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of flower boxesVSAvoidease of attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nesting arrangement where multiple flower boxes are stacked vertically on the pallet, with each box containing or supporting the next. The flanged boxes nest within the pallet structure, allowing 4-6 boxes to be attached in a compact vertical configuration, thereby increasing quantity while maintaining ease of operation through standardized nesting geometry

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The flower box design segments the attachment function by providing multiple flanges at different heights and orientations on each box. This segmentation allows individual boxes to be independently attached at various positions on the pallet, enabling flexible configurations of 4-6 boxes without requiring complex manual assembly procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If flower boxes are inserted into spaces between pallet boards, then they can be attached to the pallet, but the insertion is very laborious

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidease of insertion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flanges are pre-formed as integral parts of the flower box structure during manufacturing, with precise dimensions and positioning already established. This preliminary action eliminates the need for field assembly or complex insertion maneuvers, allowing workers to simply place the boxes onto the pallet where the flanges naturally align with the board spaces, thereby maintaining secure attachment while dramatically improving ease of insertion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If only two flower boxes are attached vertically on the pallet, then attachment is simple, but design options and aesthetic appeal are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign optionsVSAvoidattachment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flower box design incorporates universal flange configurations that can be attached in multiple orientations and positions on the pallet. Each box serves multiple functions: it can be positioned at different heights, oriented in different directions, and combined with other boxes to create various patterns. This universality provides extensive design options for arranging 4-6 boxes while maintaining relatively simple attachment procedures through standardized flange interfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3569110B1Flower box
Publication Date: 2020.11.25 GELI
  • EP3569110B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3569110B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The present invention relates to a flower box, in particular for mounting in a pallet (15), with four side walls (2, 2'; 3; 4, 4'; 5) and a base (6), wherein two opposing side walls (2, 2'; 4, 4') each have an outwardly directed flange (10, 10'; 11, 11') on their side facing away from the base (6), which extends at least substantially parallel to the base (6). To connect two flower boxes, at least one flange (10, 10'; 11, 11') is provided with at least one slotted through-opening (12) and at least one flange (10, 10'; 11, 11') is provided with at least one locking tongue (13) adapted to the slotted through-opening (12).