Pop-Up Paper Scene With Integrated Lock for Upright Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foldable paper décor items lack a secure mechanism to maintain their unfolded position, leading to potential loss or damage of loose parts and limited usability for decorative or gifting purposes.

Innovation Solution

A foldable paper décor item with an integrated lock mechanism that moves between flat and upright positions, serving as part of the scene and retaining the item in the unfolded position, ensuring no loose parts and easy storage or mailing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a secure locking mechanism is added to maintain the unfolded position, then the reliability of maintaining upright position is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to maintain upright positionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lock mechanism is merged with the pop-up structure itself. The lock forms part of the pop-up structure, eliminating the need for separate locking components. This integration maintains the upright position reliably while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pop-up structure serves multiple functions: it creates the decorative scene and simultaneously acts as the locking mechanism. The same structural elements that form the pop-up design also provide the locking action, making the structure multi-functional and reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If loose parts are used for the lock mechanism, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of preventing loss or damage worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidrisk of loss or damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the lock mechanism into the pop-up structure, all components become integrated and permanent. This eliminates loose parts that could be lost or damaged, while the manufacturing process remains relatively simple through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If the décor item is made fully foldable, then the volume for storage is reduced, but the stability of maintaining unfolded position worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidstability in unfolded position

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The structure is designed to be dynamic, allowing it to transition between folded and unfolded states. The lock mechanism enables the structure to remain stable in the unfolded position while still being capable of folding for storage, providing both compact storage volume and structural stability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12626615B2Pop-up scene with integrated lock

Publication Date: 2026.05.12 AMERICAN GREETINGS CORP

AI summary

A foldable paper décor item that includes a pop-up with integrated lock structure. The item can be folded flat for mailing or storage and then unfolded to place on display. The pop-up contains an integrated lock structure that is also part of the scenic display. The foldable paper display item can be reused many times over.