Integrated Junction System for Collapsible Container Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing junction systems for collapsible containers, such as those for fruit and vegetable products, face challenges in providing increased strength while minimizing weight and manufacturing costs, often resulting in heavy and costly solutions that do not effectively distribute structural resistance.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, integrated junction system featuring a hollow cylindrical column and clip-type locking devices that are integrated into the container structures, enhancing rigidity and resistance to bending and compression, and allowing for efficient manufacturing through water circulation cooling in the mold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional corner elements and external columns are used to increase container strength, then the structural resistance is improved, but the container weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the corner element, column, and locking device into a single integrated component that is directly molded as part of the container wall. This integration eliminates the need for separate external columns and corner reinforcements, achieving structural strengthening without adding significant weight, as the reinforcing elements become part of the container's own structure rather than external additions
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow cylindrical column is nested within the container wall structure, with the column being an integral part of the molded container body. The locking device is nested within the column structure, with arms that fold along the column's perimeter. This nesting approach allows multiple functional elements to occupy the same spatial envelope, avoiding additional weight from separate components
2Strength
If complex attachment mechanisms with multiple components are deployed along the container periphery, then the joint strength is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the corner element, column, and locking device into a single integrated component molded as one piece. This merging reduces the number of separate parts from multiple discrete components to a single monolithic structure, simplifying the attachment mechanism while maintaining joint strength through the integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated corner element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural reinforcement at the container corner, acts as a column for lateral support, incorporates the locking mechanism for wall attachment, and integrates the hollow cylindrical structure for rigidity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, reducing device complexity while achieving the required joint strength
3Strength
If solid columns are used to provide structural resistance, then the container strength is improved, but the manufacturing time and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a hollow cylindrical column instead of a solid column, creating a porous or cavity-containing structure that maintains structural resistance through the cylindrical geometry and wall thickness while using less material. The hollow structure allows for faster cooling during injection molding, as the cooling medium can circulate through the internal cavity, significantly reducing manufacturing cycle time while preserving the necessary structural strength
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves improved structural strength and reduced weight by integrating the column and closure means into the container structures, reducing material usage and manufacturing time, while maintaining high resistance and facilitating efficient stacking and storage.
Implementation Method 1
employing a mold with a shape of the collapsible container with the junction system and injecting material, preferably plastic into said mold... which allows reducing the temperature of the injected material before removing the manufactured part
Implementation Method 2
The particular location of closure means is independent of its operating exist modes... a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a mold with cooling means which circulate within the column, accelerating the heat transfer and therefore in less time cooling the columns of the container
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention comprises a junction system of structures, preferably for container walls, which is light and is integrated to the structures to be joined providing high strength and rigidity reducing the weight of the joint, which comprises at least a closing device having at least a pair of closing means, a male closing mean and a female closing mean, wherein said closing means join at least two structures together, or two adjacent faces of a container for fruit and vegetable products, preferably the side faces, being fixed to said structures or faces; further comprising a column fixed to one of said structures, wherein said column is configured as a hollow cylindrical body which in turn is integrated to at least one of said closing means. Furthermore, the invention comprises an associated container and its manufacturing process.