Precut Cardboard Platform With Interlocking Flaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cardboard platforms for goods loading and transport are difficult to assemble, lack resistance to heavy loads, and require adhesive tape for assembly, leading to increased costs and assembly time.

Innovation Solution

A precut cardboard blank with a central panel and shaped portions that can be easily assembled without adhesive tape, featuring crease lines for bending into a robust platform design, allowing fast assembly and high load resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If cardboard platforms are made to be assembled from multiple parts, then assembly time increases, but the platform can be dismantled for storage space savings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The platform is divided into multiple cardboard parts that can be assembled together. Each part is designed with specific geometric features that enable quick connection without requiring complex fastening mechanisms, thus reducing assembly time while maintaining the ability to dismantle for compact storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cardboard parts are pre-cut and pre-shaped with crease lines and geometric features during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows the assembly process to be simplified and accelerated, as the parts are ready to be connected in their final configuration without requiring additional processing or complex assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If adhesive tape is used for assembly, then the structure is blocked and secured, but the product loses recyclability and assembly costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidrecyclability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cardboard parts are designed with self-blocking geometric features such as interlocking shapes, flaps, and crease lines that automatically secure the platform structure when assembled. This eliminates the need for adhesive tape or other external fastening materials, maintaining recyclability while ensuring structural stability through the inherent geometry of the cardboard components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If forklift arms act directly on the supporting surface, then the platform can be lifted, but resistance to heavy loads decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveliftabilityVSAvoidload resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the forklift arms act directly on the horizontal supporting surface, the design incorporates vertical or lateral structural elements such as raised edges, ribs, or dedicated lifting features on the cardboard parts. This dimensional change allows the lifting force to be applied through structurally stronger areas, improving load resistance while maintaining ease of operation with standard forklift equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3333094B1Precut cardboard blank and platform obtained by said precut
Publication Date: 2020.02.05 REDBOX SRL
  • EP3333094B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3333094B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3333094B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A precut blank (1) for the formation of a platform, having a central panel (2) with a rectangular shape, on each of the two longer sides of which there is a shaped portion (5, 5') being divided into four successive panels comprising a first panel (7, 7'), a second panel (8, 8'), a third panel (10, 10') and a fourth panel (12, 12'), the first and third panels being equal to each other, at least one of which being equipped, on the respective left side, with a first left shaped panel (130, 130'), and on the respective right side, with a first right shaped panel (15, 15'), wherein each shaped portion (5, 5'), at the first, second and third panel, comprises a central part defined by two cut lines (25, 26; 25', 26') and by two perimeter lines (27, 27'; 28, 28') positioned, respectively, in the first and in the third panel, the precut blank comprising a first sub-panel (21, 21') made in the central part at a first perimeter line (27, 27').