Foldable Container Corner Reinforcement for Liquid-Tight Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable containers are complex to manufacture and have high material consumption, limiting their practicality and efficiency for use as liquid-tight storage solutions.
Innovation Solution
A foldable container design featuring a single-layered sheet with unbroken side members and corner reinforcements, where corner members are folded and adhered to create a compact, liquid-tight structure with adjustable opening sizes, and grips for secure handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional multi-layered foldable containers are used, then structural stability is improved, but material consumption increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container base is divided into four separate corner members that can be independently positioned and secured. Each corner member is a discrete element with cut-outs that allow them to be attached to the side members, creating a modular structure that reduces overall material usage while maintaining stability through the distributed corner reinforcement points.
Solution Approach 2:
The corner members are designed to be inserted into and secured within the structure formed by the side members. The cut-outs in the corner members allow them to engage with the side members, creating a nested arrangement where the corners are positioned inside the rectangular framework formed by the side members, reducing material consumption while maintaining structural integrity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional multi-layered foldable containers are used, then structural stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into simple, discrete components: a base portion and four separate corner members. Each component can be manufactured independently using simple cutting and scoring processes, then assembled by inserting the corner members into the base and securing them with adhesive. This segmentation reduces manufacturing complexity compared to forming complex multi-layered structures in a single piece.
Solution Approach 2:
The container utilizes a single layer of flexible material that is scored and folded to create the three-dimensional structure. The thin film nature of the material allows it to be easily manipulated, folded, and secured without requiring complex multi-layer assembly processes. The flexibility of the single layer enables simple folding actions to create the container shape while maintaining structural stability through the corner member reinforcement.
3Quantity of substance
If single-layered unbroken side members are used, then material consumption is reduced and liquid-tightness is improved, but structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The container uses a single layer of material throughout, but provides localized reinforcement at the four corner positions through the addition of corner members. This local quality enhancement at the corners compensates for the simplicity of the single-layered construction, maintaining structural stability where needed while preserving the material efficiency and liquid-tightness benefits of the unbroken single-layer side members.
Solution Approach 2:
The corner members are pre-formed with specific cut-outs and shaping before assembly. The cut-outs are designed to fit into the base and side members in a predetermined manner, ensuring proper positioning and secure attachment. This preliminary preparation of the corner members allows them to effectively reinforce the single-layered structure during assembly, maintaining stability without requiring complex multi-layer construction.
4Reliability
If corner members are folded and adhered together, then liquid-tightness is improved, but manufacturing steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The corner members are designed to combine multiple functions in a single component: they provide structural reinforcement, create liquid-tight seals through adherence to side members, and serve as attachment points for the handles. By merging these functions into the corner members themselves rather than requiring separate components for each function, the overall manufacturing process remains simple while achieving liquid-tightness through the adherence of corner members to the side members.
Data Source
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AI summary
When, according to the invention, a container is formed from a sheet- shaped material, and it is punched and scored such that the base (7) and the side members (3, 4, 5, 6) constitute an entity without incisions, cuts and the like, it is possible to achieve a container which is foldable, in that the side members may be folded inwards over the base, and which may be erected to provide a container which, when made of a combustible material, may be disposed of by incineration after use. As the container is completely liquid-tight, it may be used for liquid as well as solid contents.