Assembly for containment, filing and storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fireproof cabinets and shelving units are not suitable for storing materials of artistic, historic, or legal value, as they lack a spacious containment region and do not allow for ordered shelving or hanging, nor do they provide adequate protection against fire and forced entry.

Innovation Solution

A modular assembly with fire-resistant and insulating panels, movable frames with support elements like shelves and hooks, and a compactable design that includes gaskets for heat sealing, anti-seismic devices, and locking mechanisms to ensure secure and accessible storage while protecting against fire and forced entry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional fireproof cabinets and shelving units are used, then fire protection is provided, but they lack spacious containment regions and do not allow ordered shelving or hanging of valuable items

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to contain and file various materials including pictures and items of clothingVSAvoidspacious containment region
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The assembly is divided into multiple modular containers that can be individually configured with different internal arrangements. Each container can be independently opened or closed, allowing flexible adaptation to different storage needs while maintaining fire protection. The modular nature enables the system to accommodate various materials including documents, pictures, and items of clothing in an orderly manner.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If conventional shelving units are used, then accessibility to stored items is improved, but fire protection and forced entry resistance are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility to stored itemsVSAvoidprotection against fire and forced entry
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The containers are designed to be slideable along guides, transitioning between a compacted configuration for maximum protection and an extended configuration for easy access to stored items. This dynamic capability allows the system to provide both high security/fire protection when closed and convenient accessibility when opened, resolving the contradiction between protection and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If containers are made slideable for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but stability and resistance to forced entry are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of access to compartmentVSAvoidstability in compacted configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates locking mechanisms that preemptively secure the containers in their compacted configuration to prevent forced entry or accidental displacement. The locks engage automatically or can be manually secured, providing preliminary protection before any access attempt, thus maintaining stability while preserving the slideable access capability when properly authorized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 assembly provides a high-capacity, secure, and fire-resistant storage solution that allows for orderly arrangement and easy access to valuable items, while maintaining protection against fire and unauthorized access, with a focus on cost-effectiveness and practical implementation.

Implementation Method 1

dichotomy of a first gasket, made of intumescent material, and a second gasket, made of fireproof material different from the first gasket, wherein the first gasket, which is arranged to be subjected to heat, ensures preservation of the hermetic seal joint in the event of fire, up to the dilation temperature of the intumescent material, and the second gasket ensures preservation of the hermetic seal joint for low temperatures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat sealing:

Implementation Method 2

a first gasket, made of intumescent material, and a second gasket, made of fireproof material different from the first gasket, wherein the first gasket, which is arranged to be subjected to heat, ensures preservation of the hermetic seal joint in the event of fire, up to the dilation temperature of the intumescent material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntumescent material dilation: Intumescent Materials

Implementation Method 3

The paneling 4 is made of an insulating and fire-resistant material, preferably chosen from among fireproof polymers, polymers mixed with fireproof and/or flame-retardant substances, derivatives of wood mixed with fireproof and/or flame-retardant substances, metals, gypsum, microporous materials, nanoporous materials, ceramic materials, glass wool, rock wool, wood wool mixed with fireproof and/or flame-retardant substances

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3217840B1Assembly for containment, filing and storage
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 MAKROS SRL
  • EP3217840B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3217840B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3217840B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An assembly for containment, filing and storage (1), comprising at least one container (2), of the type of a cabinet, defining inside it a compartment (3) for accommodating products of various nature. The container (2) is slideable between a configuration of resting on a facing surface upon being opened in order to gain access to its inner compartment (3) and a configuration of separation from such surface. The at least one container (2) comprises, along its walls, at least one respective paneling (4) made of thermally insulating and fire-resistant material; the inner compartment (3) of the container (2) comprises at least one frame (5) for the orderly arrangement of the products.