Foldable Packaging Element With Interlocking Flaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional packaging elements for household appliances require adhesives for secure attachment, which is resource-intensive and lacks a stable form-fitting connection for effective force absorption during transport.
Innovation Solution
A packaging element with foldable side surfaces and an insertion element that connects positively without gluing, allowing for a stable arrangement and effective force absorption in a compact state, made from cardboard or paper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesives are used to attach packaging materials to the appliance casing, then the packaging materials are securely attached, but resource efficiency is reduced and the packaging process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes adhesives entirely from the packaging system by using a self-contained foldable box structure that secures appliances through its geometric design and interlocking flaps, eliminating the need for adhesive substances
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging box serves itself by using its own structural components (flaps, edges, and surfaces) to secure the appliance through friction and geometric interlocking, without requiring external adhesive materials
2Reliability
If adhesives are used to attach packaging materials, then secure attachment is achieved, but the packaging process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive application step is completely extracted from the packaging process, leaving only the mechanical folding and interlocking operations that are inherently simpler and more reliable
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging box transitions from a flat 2D blank to a 3D folded structure through dynamic folding operations, allowing the same material to provide both protection and secure attachment through its transformed geometry
3Object-affected harmful factors
If packaging materials are applied before transport, then protection is provided, but removal after transport is required adding additional steps
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function and the securing function are merged into a single integrated foldable box structure that provides both damage protection and secure attachment simultaneously through its design
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging box is designed to be easily discarded after use by simply unfolding and separating the flaps, eliminating the need for careful removal procedures required by adhesive-based packaging
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a packaging element (113) for packaging a household appliance (100), wherein the packaging element (113) has a base (115), wherein the packaging element (113) has a first side surface (117) and a second side surface (119) which are integrally formed with the base (115) and which are each foldably connected to the base (115), and wherein the first side surface (117) and the second side surface (119) extend at angles from the base (115) when the packaging element (113) is folded. The first side surface (117) has a receiving opening (127). The second side surface (119) has an insertion element (135) which is designed to be received in the receiving opening (127) of the first side surface (117) in the folded state of the packaging element (113) in order to connect the first and second side surfaces (117, 119) in a form-fitting manner.