Foldable Container Blank With Diagonal Corner Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container construction methods from blanks are time-consuming, especially when forming multiple containers, due to complex folding and interlocking processes.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible container design featuring a blank with hingedly connected corner panels and diagonal panels that simplify the folding process, allowing for concurrent rotation of multiple walls into position, reducing the number of steps required for assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional container construction methods are used with multiple folding and interlocking steps, then the container structure is formed, but the construction time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer structure formationVSAvoidconstruction time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The blank is pre-designed with all necessary fold lines, hinge connections, and panel configurations in place before construction begins. The corner panels are pre-positioned and hinged to diagonal panels, allowing the entire container to be assembled through a simple single-direction folding motion rather than requiring multiple separate folding and interlocking steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple construction steps (forming side walls, front wall, back wall, and corner structures) are merged into a single continuous folding action. By designing the blank so that all panels are pre-connected through hinges and fold lines, the construction process combines what would traditionally require seven separate steps into one unified motion where all walls rotate concurrently into their final positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If complex folding and interlocking processes are used to form the container, then the container structure is achieved, but the number of construction steps increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer structureVSAvoidconstruction process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container blank is segmented into distinct functional panels (corner panels, diagonal panels, side walls, front wall, back wall) that are pre-connected through hinges and fold lines. This segmentation allows each panel to be independently positioned and folded into place while maintaining overall structural integrity, simplifying the construction process by breaking down the complex assembly into manageable, pre-configured sections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

All structural connections (hinges between corner panels and diagonal panels, fold lines between panels) are pre-established in the blank design. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for complex interlocking operations during construction, as all components are already positioned and connected to work together through a single folding motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If traditional blank designs with top front tabs are used, then the container can be formed, but material usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer formationVSAvoidmaterial usage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The design extracts and eliminates the top front tab component from the traditional blank configuration. By redesigning the front wall construction to rely on the hinged corner panels and diagonal panels meeting at the front corners, the top front tab becomes unnecessary, reducing material usage while maintaining the structural integrity and formation capability of the container

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10106289B2Blank and methods of constructing a container from the blank

Publication Date: 2018.10.23 WESTROCK SHARED SERVICES LLC

AI summary

A blank of foldable sheet material is provided. The blank includes a bottom panel, a first bottom side panel and a second opposing bottom side panel extending from opposing side edges of the bottom panel, and a front panel extending from a front edge of the bottom panel. The front panel includes opposing side edges. The blank also includes a first and a second diagonal panel extending from a front edge of the first and second bottom side panels, respectively, and a third and a fourth diagonal panel extending from each side edge of the front panel. The third and fourth diagonal panels have a length greater than a length of the first and second diagonal panels. The blank includes a first and a second corner panel, wherein the first corner panel is hingedly connected to the first and third diagonal panels and the second corner panel is hingedly connected to the second and fourth diagonal panels.