Foldable Picture Frame Blank With Locking Wings for Lightweight Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional picture frames are costly and complex to produce, heavy due to glass or transparent membranes, and difficult to transport and package, requiring manual mounting and installation with hooks.
Innovation Solution
A foldable sheet material blank with wing portions and locking mechanisms that can be folded to form a tubular frame, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, and a separate backing card for added stability and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If glass or transparent membrane is added to cover the photo/frame, then the photo frame provides better protection, but the entire photo frame becomes very heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the glass or transparent membrane from the picture frame structure entirely. The frame is designed to hold the picture without any covering element, eliminating the source of excessive weight while maintaining the frame's protective and display functions through its structural design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable paperboard frame that is intentionally designed to be lightweight and single-use. The frame accepts a printed picture that is adhered to it, creating a complete display unit that can be discarded after use, eliminating the need for durable, heavy protective coverings
2Ease of manufacture
If manual mounting of picture on frame is performed, then the final product is assembled, but production cost increases and production process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the picture and frame into a single integrated unit. The picture is printed directly on the front surface of the paperboard frame, eliminating the separate steps of mounting and assembling. This merging of components simplifies the production process and reduces labor requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The picture is printed on the frame in advance during the manufacturing process itself, rather than being added later during assembly. This preliminary action of printing the picture directly on the frame before final production reduces the number of subsequent assembly steps required
3Stability of the object's composition
If heavy photo frame is used, then the photo frame provides structural stability, but transportation fees increase and packaging becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the material parameter of the frame from heavy traditional materials (wood, metal, plastic with glass) to lightweight paperboard. This parameter change in material density and weight enables easy transportation and simple packaging while the frame maintains sufficient structural stability for its intended display purpose through optimized paperboard construction and folding mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A blank for forming a one-piece picture frame with picture includes a blank body having front and rear surfaces, a central rectangular picture portion formed thereon with a picture on the front surface. The blank further includes four wing portions extending from the four margins of the rectangular picture portion and the four wing portions are foldable into four rectangular tubular frame sections. Twelve locking mechanisms are used to lock the four frame sections in a folded position. A method of forming the picture frame with picture is also disclosed.