Modular Display Case Assembly With Grooved Panels and Flat-Pack Shipping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display cases for collectibles are difficult to assemble and disassemble, bulky for shipping, and do not allow for a pleasing arrangement of items, making them inconvenient for use and transportation.

Innovation Solution

A display case design featuring elongated grooves and specialty hardware holes in panels that allow for easy assembly and disassembly, enabling adjustable item display and secure attachment of panels with fasteners, along with interchangeable back panels and a transparent front panel for varied visual presentations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional display cases are designed with fixed panels and rigid structures, then structural strength is improved, but ease of assembly and disassembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of assembly and disassembly
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display case is divided into multiple separate panels (front panel, back panel, side panels, top panel, bottom panel) that can be independently assembled and disassembled. Each panel has standardized grooves and holes for connection, allowing the structure to be built piece by piece without requiring complex fastening operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Standardized grooves and holes serve as intermediary connection mechanisms between panels. The grooves receive panel edges while the holes accommodate fasteners, creating a standardized interface that simplifies assembly and disassembly while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If display cases are designed as complete units, then structural stability is improved, but ease of shipping and storage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of shipping and storage
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display case can be completely disassembled into individual panels for shipping and storage. This segmentation allows flat-pack transportation, reducing shipping volume and storage requirements while enabling easy reassembly at the destination to restore full structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The panels are pre-designed with integrated grooves and holes during manufacturing, so no additional preparation or modification is needed before assembly. This preliminary preparation of connection features enables rapid assembly and disassembly operations without requiring specialized tools or skills.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If display cases have fixed internal configurations, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability for different display items deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidadaptability for different display items
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The internal structure is segmented into separate, movable panels rather than fixed attachments. This allows the panels to be repositioned and reconfigured to accommodate different item sizes and shapes, while each panel itself remains a simple, easily manufactured component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display case transitions from a static, fixed configuration to a dynamic, reconfigurable structure. The panels can be moved, removed, and repositioned to adapt to different display needs, transforming the case from a rigid container to a flexible display system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4424214B1Display case and method of assembly
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 13872548 CANADA INC
  • EP4424214B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1E
  • EP4424214B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4424214B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display case (100) and assembly method are provided that allow the display of collectible items while being easy to assemble and disassemble. The display case (100) includes a bottom and top panel (120), side panels (140), back panel (170), and front panel (180). The panels join together through elongated grooves on the bottom, top and side panels (140), and the side panels (140) are secured with specialty hardware. The display case (100) is assembled by inserting side panels (140) into an elongated groove (116, 126) on a bottom panel (110), securing the side panels (140) with specialty hardware, attaching a top bracket (160), inserting a back panel (170) into an elongated groove (116, 126) in the side panels (140) and bottom panel (110), inserting a front panel (180) into an elongated groove (116, 126) in each of the side panels (140) and the bottom panel (110), joining a top panel (120) by inserting the side panels (140), back panel (170) and front panel (180) into an elongated groove (116, 126) in the top panel (120), and securing the top panel (120) with specialty hardware.