Hinged Product Bin Panels With Adjustable Access Openings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing product display solutions lack flexibility and adaptability in configuration, making it difficult to efficiently display and store merchandise in retail environments, particularly in terms of assembly, accessibility, and space optimization.

Innovation Solution

A product bin system comprising hinged sections that can be unfolded from a flat configuration to a vertical configuration, featuring adjustable openings and support members for secure attachment to retail structures, allowing for customizable product enclosure and display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If product bins are made as fixed, non-disassemblable structures, then structural stability is improved, but ease of assembly and storage efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The product bin is divided into multiple sections that can be disassembled and reassembled. Each section can be independently handled, stored, and reconfigured, allowing the bin to transition between a stable assembled state and a compact disassembled state for efficient storage and easy assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If product bins are made as fixed, non-disassemblable structures, then structural stability is improved, but space utilization in storage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The disassembled sections of the product bin can be nested within each other or stored in an organized manner, significantly reducing the storage space required when the bins are not in use, while maintaining full structural stability when assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of manufacture

If product bins have fixed access openings, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability in product access deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidadaptability in product access

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The access openings are made adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the size and configuration of openings to be dynamically changed to accommodate different product types and access requirements, while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing through standardized adjustable components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8281949B2Product display container having hinged side panels with a slidable gate member to selectively block access through a port in at least one side panel

Publication Date: 2012.10.09 TARGET BRANDS INC

AI summary

Systems and methods include unfolding a product bin from a flat configuration to vertical configuration to define a portion of a product enclosure. The product bin comprises a plurality of sections hinged end-to-end in a chain. A free end of a first one of the sections in the chain is releasably connected to a free end of a last one of the sections in the chain with a support member. The support member is fastened to an object such that the plurality of sections and the object combine to define a product enclosure. A plurality of products is placed in the product enclosure.