Sheet Material Dustpan with Straight Fold-Line for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dustpans, especially those designed for hazardous waste or single-use, often have inefficient storage configurations and may not be easily reconfigurable between assembled and unassembled states.
Innovation Solution
A dustpan formed from sheet material with a straight fold-line between the handle and receptacle portions, allowing the handle to be folded flat against the receptacle, reducing the footprint and facilitating compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the fold-line extends in a straight line across the sheet material, then the footprint of the dustpan in unassembled configuration is reduced, but the complexity of the fold-line design increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fold-line is segmented into multiple straight sections connected by bend regions, allowing the handle portion to be divided into multiple panels. This segmentation enables the fold-line to extend completely across the sheet material in a straight line configuration while maintaining manufacturability through standardized bend regions at each segment connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The fold-line incorporates bend regions with curved transitions between straight sections. These curved bend regions facilitate the folding action by providing a smooth transition path for the material, enabling the handle portion to fold flat against the receptacle portion while maintaining structural integrity during the folding process.
2Ease of operation
If the handle portion is formed with multiple panels separated by handle fold-lines, then the ease of folding the handle flat against the receptacle is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle portion is segmented into multiple panels separated by handle fold-lines, which are pre-formed during manufacturing. This segmentation allows the handle to be folded into a compact configuration flat against the receptacle portion, improving storage efficiency while the pre-formed nature of the fold-lines maintains manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle fold-lines are pre-formed during the blank manufacturing process before the dustpan is assembled and used. This preliminary action of creating the fold-lines during manufacturing enables easy folding during use without requiring complex assembly steps or additional manufacturing operations.
3Volume of moving object
If the fold-line extends completely across the sheet material, then the compactness of the unassembled configuration is improved, but the structural integrity of the dustpan may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fold-line incorporates bend regions with curved transitions that distribute stress during folding and use. These curved regions maintain structural integrity by providing a gradual transition path for the material fibers, preventing stress concentration and potential failure at the fold-line while still enabling complete folding across the sheet material.
Solution Approach 2:
The fold-line is designed as a flexible region within the sheet material, allowing it to bend and fold completely across the dustpan blank. This flexible design enables the handle portion to fold flat against the receptacle portion for compact storage while maintaining sufficient structural integrity during both folded and assembled states through proper material selection and fold-line geometry.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a dustpan (200a) formed from sheet material. The dustpan (200a) comprises a handle portion (220a), a receptacle portion (210a) into which dust and/or waste can be swept, and a fold-line (240a) provided between the handle portion (220a) and the receptacle portion (210a). The fold-line (240a) extends in a straight line across the sheet material forming the dustpan (200a). In an unassembled configuration, the handle portion (220a) can be folded to lie flat against the receptacle portion (210a) by folding along the fold-line (240a).