Folding Box Protrusion Edge Reinforcement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing folding boxes are weak in bending and compression resistance, making them prone to deformation under load, and are difficult to clean due to their thin-wall structure and design, which can lead to safety hazards and reduced service life.

Innovation Solution

A folding box design featuring a base with protrusion edges having pockets and connecting parts with rotatable engaging parts, and side plates with limiting parts to prevent outward turning and disengagement, along with closed cavities for enhanced strength and cleaning efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If thin walls and reinforcing ribs are used to form the base structure, then the box can be lightweight and easy to manufacture, but the base becomes weak in bending and compression resistance, causing deformation under load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidbending and compression resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The base structure combines thin walls with integrated reinforcing ribs to create a composite structure that maintains lightweight properties while significantly improving bending and compression resistance. The ribs are formed as integral parts of the base, creating a synergistic structure where the thin walls and ribs work together to resist deformation under load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The base incorporates curved or arched rib structures rather than straight rigid bars. These curved ribs provide superior structural efficiency by distributing loads more effectively and resisting bending forces, while maintaining the lightweight characteristic of the thin-wall construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Strength

If the base is formed with molded non-closed cavities and grid ribs, then the structure can provide some reinforcement, but dirt and sewage accumulate in the cavities, making cleaning difficult and reducing hygiene

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural reinforcementVSAvoidease of cleaning
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The design extracts and removes the problematic non-closed cavities from the base structure. Instead of having recessed cavity spaces that trap dirt and sewage, the base features a smoother surface profile where the reinforcing ribs are integrated without creating deep, hard-to-reach recesses, enabling easy cleaning while maintaining structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The base structure incorporates a controlled porous or textured surface design that prevents dirt and sewage accumulation. The surface geometry is optimized to allow fluids and contaminants to flow off easily rather than becoming trapped, combining cleaning ease with structural reinforcement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Device complexity

If a single layered thin wall structure is used at the hinge mounting position, then the base can be simple to manufacture, but the hinge connection becomes weak and the side plate deforms inward when loaded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidhinge connection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base structure implements local quality enhancement at the hinge mounting positions. While the overall base maintains simple thin-wall construction, the specific hinge mounting areas feature reinforced structures with integrated ribs and protrusion edges that provide localized strength and stability, preventing side plate deformation without complicating the entire base design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Device complexity

If the side plate is hinged to the protrusion edge of the base, then the folding mechanism can be simple, but the protrusion edge bends inward under load, causing the side plate to deform and the box to become unsafe

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding mechanism simplicityVSAvoidresistance to inward bending
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusion edge at the hinge mounting position is designed with a curved or arched cross-section rather than a flat thin wall. This curved geometry provides superior resistance to inward bending forces while maintaining the simplicity of the folding hinge mechanism. The curved structure acts like an arch, distributing loads more effectively and preventing deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge connection area combines the thin-wall base material with integrated reinforcing ribs to create a composite structure. This composite design maintains the simple folding mechanism while providing the necessary resistance to inward bending forces through the combined structural properties of the wall and rib elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4082927B1Folding box
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 SHANGHAI HONGYAN RETURNABLE TRANSIT PACKAGINGS CO LTD
  • EP4082927B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4082927B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP4082927B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A folding box is disclosed. A base is provided with a plate-like body and two pairs of opposite protrusion edges surrounding the periphery of the plate-like body. The two pairs of opposite side plates are hinged to the protrusion edges of the base and are foldable relative to the base. Side plate hinging parts are arranged at the bottom of the side plate, and corresponding base hinging parts are arranged on the protrusion edge of the base, wherein the side plate hinging parts are hinged to the base hinging parts respectively, thus hinging the side plate to the base. At least one pair of the two pairs of opposite protrusion edges are provided with first closed cavities extending along the length direction of the protrusion edges, and/or the plate-like body is provided with second closed cavities, wherein the second closed cavities protrude from the main surface of the plate-like body. The folding box of present application is high in strength and easy to clean.