Pivotable Flap Box Aperture with Living Hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shipping containers with flaps that open inwardly expose contents to the exterior and often result in the loss of documents and smaller components during transport, as they are not securely closed.
Innovation Solution
A box with a pivotable flap that can be secured in a closed position using a living hinge and a foldable tab for easy gripping, allowing access to the interior for inserting items before shipping and ensuring the flap remains closed during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the flap is pushed inwardly into the interior of the box to close the aperture, then the aperture is closed, but the flap cannot be easily repositioned and items cannot be added after shipping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the flap repositionable through a living hinge mechanism that allows the flap to be moved between closed and open positions. This dynamic design enables the flap to transition from a static closed state to an accessible open state, allowing items to be added after shipping while maintaining the ability to secure the aperture when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the flap into separate functional components: a main body portion that covers the aperture and a tab portion that provides grip for repositioning. This segmentation allows the flap to be easily manipulated and repositioned by users, enabling adaptability without requiring complex mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the flap is made pivotable for easy repositioning, then ease of operation is improved, but the flap may not remain securely closed during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the tab to provide an intuitive grip that enables users to easily reposition the flap without requiring tools or complex mechanisms. The living hinge automatically provides the necessary mechanical advantage, allowing the flap to be easily opened and closed by hand while maintaining secure closure when positioned correctly.
3Quantity of substance
If documents and components are placed inside the box, then the box is more complete, but they may exit through the aperture and be lost during shipping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing instructions that enable users to add documents and components to the box before shipping. The repositionable flap design anticipates this need by allowing the aperture to be opened for adding items, then securely closed to prevent loss during transport, thus preparing the box properly before shipment.
Data Source
AI summary
A box with a closeable aperture and a method of accessing an interior of a box are provided. The box may include a sidewall and a flap formed in the sidewall. The flap may be repositionable relative to the sidewall to selectively open and close an aperture formed in the sidewall. The flap may include a main body and a tab, and the tab may be repositionable relative to the main body of the flap for grasping by a user. The method may include pivoting a flap formed in a sidewall of the box relative to the sidewall to provide access to an aperture in the sidewall, pivoting a tab of the flap relative to a main body of the flap, and grasping the tab to reposition the flap relative to the sidewall.