Flexible Garden Edging With Rollable Profile and Secure Anchoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible edgings are insufficiently resistant to weather conditions, difficult to anchor firmly, inconvenient to apply, store, and transport, and are prone to damage due to seasonal soil volume changes.

Innovation Solution

The edging design features a convex and concave surface on opposite sides for easy rolling and storage, an anchor member for secure anchoring, and use of PVC material for durability, allowing it to withstand various weather conditions and external impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional edging is installed by digging a narrow trench and inserting the lower edge, then the edging can be anchored in the ground, but the installation process is very time-consuming and requires significant experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchoring stabilityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The edging is divided into modular sections with standardized connection elements. Each section can be independently installed and connected to form continuous edging lines, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining anchoring stability through consistent modular anchoring points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Anchor holes are pre-drilled to standardized depths and positions before edging insertion. The edging sections come pre-assembled with connection elements, eliminating the need for on-site trench digging and complex assembly, thus reducing installation time while ensuring proper anchoring depth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If flexible edging is used to allow modular work and on-site placement, then the edging can be easily installed according to owner's wishes, but it is insufficiently resistant to weather conditions and cannot be anchored firmly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation convenienceVSAvoidweather resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The edging combines flexible polymer material for the main body with rigid anchor elements and metal connection hardware. This composite construction maintains flexibility for easy installation while the rigid components provide weather resistance and firm anchoring capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the edging have different properties: the main body is flexible for ease of installation, while the anchor portions and connection elements are rigid for weather resistance and secure anchoring. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between flexibility and durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If the edging is placed on the surface without deep anchoring, then installation is simpler and faster, but the edging becomes loose and damaged due to seasonal soil volume changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The edging system incorporates flexible connection elements that can dynamically adjust to soil movement caused by seasonal changes. The anchor holes provide fixed reference points while allowing controlled movement, maintaining position stability without requiring excessive anchoring depth that would slow installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Strength

If the edging is made rigid to withstand weather conditions and external impacts, then durability is improved, but the edging becomes difficult to handle, store, and transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidhandling convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The edging is divided into manageable modular sections that are easy to handle, store, and transport. Each module maintains sufficient strength through optimized wall thickness and reinforcement elements, while the modular nature allows flexible assembly to achieve overall structural rigidity for weather and impact resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4477064B1Flexible edging
Publication Date: 2026.02.04 ECCO BV
  • EP4477064B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4477064B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4477064B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an edging (1) comprising a barrier strip (3) of predetermined length, height and width, the barrier strip (3) having an upper portion and a lower portion. The edging has a first side (21) and an opposite second side (22). The edging (1) further comprises an upper member (2) extending longitudinally along the upper portion of the barrier strip (3) and an anchor member (4) extending lengthwise along the lower portion of the barrier strip (3), wherein the anchor member (4) is suitable for being inserted into the ground; wherein the upper member (2) has a first side and an opposite second side, corresponding to the first side and the second side of the barrier strip (3), wherein the first side has a convex surface (5) and the second side has a concave surface (6), wherein the convex and concave surfaces are suitable for at least partially fitting into each other when the edging (1) is rolled up.