Foldable Plastic-Bag Waste Collection Device for Rapid Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing waste collection devices for temporary events are bulky, heavy, and inefficient for transportation and installation, lacking in aesthetic appeal, and do not facilitate selective waste collection and easy deployment.

Innovation Solution

A foldable waste collection device with a compact design, made from lightweight materials like Hylite®, featuring a folding mechanism that eliminates hinges and screws, allowing easy transportation and rapid setup, and includes compartments for selective waste sorting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If traditional waste collection devices are used, then waste collection function is provided, but the devices are bulky and heavy making transportation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of collection deviceVSAvoidvolume of collection device
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The collection device is designed with a dynamic structure that can transform between a compact folded state for transportation and an expanded operational state for waste collection. The device includes foldable walls and a collapsible base that allow it to be compressed into a small volume while maintaining structural integrity when deployed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device employs a nesting mechanism where the walls and base are designed to collapse inward, allowing the structure to be compressed into a compact form factor. When folded, the device occupies minimal space similar to nested dolls, making it easy to transport multiple units in a single vehicle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If collection devices are made small for easy handling, then portability is improved, but the volume increases when deployed reducing transportation efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of handlingVSAvoiddeployed volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device transitions from a static to a dynamic structure that adapts its volume based on operational needs. During transportation, the device maintains a compact folded state. When deployed, the walls unfold and the base expands to provide adequate collection volume, optimizing both portability and functionality at different stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If collection devices are made robust and protective, then durability is improved, but the weight and bulk increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidweight of device
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device utilizes flexible yet strong materials that provide structural integrity without excessive weight. The walls and base are constructed from lightweight but durable materials that can withstand operational stresses while maintaining a compact folded form factor, eliminating the need for heavy protective structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If traditional supports with masts and circles are used, then bag retention is achieved, but the structure becomes bulky and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebag retentionVSAvoidtransport volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the unnecessary mast and circle components from traditional designs. Instead, the bag is directly retained by the integrated collection chamber structure, which provides sufficient support and retention without the bulky external framework, significantly reducing transport volume and weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

5Reliability

If collection devices require installation and removal procedures, then proper deployment is ensured, but time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment accuracyVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device is pre-assembled in a compact folded state that maintains all structural connections and alignments. When deployed, the pre-configured structure simply needs to be unfolded and positioned, eliminating the need for complex installation procedures. The pre-maintained structural integrity ensures proper deployment without requiring additional assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3487791B1Waste collection device intended to receive a bag made from plastic material
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 MARTIN BENJAMIN
  • EP3487791B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3487791B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3487791B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

The subject matter of the invention is a waste collection device intended to receive a bag made from plastic material SP, characterised in that, in order to produce a space V1, the blank that constitutes said device comprises: ‐ a front wall (10‐1), a back wall (10‐2), two side walls (10‐3, 10‐4) each comprising two panels (10‐31, 10‐32; 10‐41, 10‐42), with hinge lines between same oriented in a vertical direction, ‐ at least one flap (12‐1, 12‐2) in the extension of the front wall (10‐1), with a horizontal hinge line, ‐ at least one opening (14), provided in said at least one flap (12‐1, 12‐2).