Grout Specimen Container With Interlocking Notched Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container assemblies for forming grout specimens face challenges in ensuring the specimens are square in cross-section and have sides perpendicular to the top and bottom, due to issues with assembling the container and inserts not meeting properly, leading to non-square test specimens.
Innovation Solution
A container assembly with notched edges and offset fold lines in the flaps and inserts, which interlock to maintain the corners and edges square, ensuring the specimens are correctly formed as per ASTM standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the bottom folds are taped closed to form a standard carton, then the container can be assembled, but the folds must be positioned properly to ensure the carton is square and the bottom is flat
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed with pre-formed gusset portions that include notched edges and offset fold lines before assembly. These preliminary structural features guide the folding and taping operations to automatically produce square corners and a flat bottom, eliminating the need for precise manual positioning during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The gusset portions act as intermediary structural elements between the bottom flaps and the side walls. The notched edges of the gussets interlock with corresponding features on the flaps and walls, serving as a mechanical mediator that enforces proper geometric relationships and maintains squareness during assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two identical inserts are folded in place into the RSC to form four cavities, then the container can hold grout for test specimens, but the corners of the inserts do not meet and prevent the test specimen from being square
Solution Approach 1:
The insert design incorporates asymmetric notched edges at the corners that are specifically configured to interlock with the gusset portions. This asymmetric feature ensures that the insert corners meet precisely at the correct positions, enabling the formation of square test specimen cavities while maintaining the adaptability to hold grout.
3Manufacturing precision
If the notched edges interlock to maintain corners square, then the specimen shape is improved, but the container and insert structure become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The container structure is segmented into distinct functional portions: side walls, bottom flaps, and separate gusset portions with notched edges. The inserts are also segmented with notched corners. This segmentation allows each component to be independently formed and then assembled through simple interlocking, achieving square corners without requiring complex integrated structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A container assembly comprises a container having a peripheral side wall defining a rectangular interior space and having top flap and bottom flaps folded inwardly to selectively enclose the interior space. The bottom flaps include notched edges for interlocking to maintain corners of the peripheral side wall square. An insert is removably receivable in the rectangular interior space. The insert comprises first and second panels of sheet material selectively folded to define a plurality of rectangular mold cavities in the interior space. Distal edges of the panels are notched wherein the notched edges interlock at the corners of the peripheral side wall to maintain the mold cavities square.