Two-Piece Corrugated Shelf Assembly for Flat-Pack Display Systems

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shelving display systems are costly and difficult to manufacture and set up, posing challenges in shipping and on-site installation.

Innovation Solution

A shelving display system formed from a blank of material with a U-shaped back wall, deflectable tabs, and slots, where shelves are created by folding and gluing components, allowing for easy assembly and configuration with integrally connected panels and flanges that secure into slots, enabling efficient setup and multiple shelf configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional shelving display systems are used, then structural stability is achieved, but manufacturing cost and setup complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing cost and setup complexityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shelving display is divided into modular components including side walls, back wall, shelves, and branding panels that can be independently manufactured and then assembled together. Each component is designed with standardized connection features that simplify the assembly process while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple functional elements are combined into integrated components. For example, shelves incorporate both support structures and branding display surfaces, while side walls integrate both structural support and graphical branding elements, reducing the total number of separate parts and simplifying assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If shelves are made as single integrated pieces, then structural strength is improved, but shipping and handling difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshelf structural strengthVSAvoidshipping and handling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Each shelf is divided into two separate panels that can be flat-packed for efficient shipping and storage. These panels are designed to interconnect through standardized joining mechanisms during assembly, creating a strong shelf structure without requiring the panels to be pre-assembled into complex three-dimensional shapes during manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shelf panels are pre-designed with integrated connection features, reinforcement structures, and alignment guides built into the panel designs themselves. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the panels are assembled on-site, they automatically form structurally sound shelves without requiring additional fasteners or complex joining procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If multiple separate components are used for shelves, then shipping efficiency is improved, but assembly difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshipping efficiencyVSAvoidassembly difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Standardized connection mechanisms and interface features are designed to be universal across all shelf components and configurations. The same joining methods, fasteners, and alignment features are used throughout the entire shelving display system, allowing assembly workers to become proficient with a single set of procedures regardless of which specific components are being assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The shelf panels incorporate self-aligning features and built-in guidance structures that automatically position components correctly during assembly. The design includes inherent alignment guides, positioning tabs, and interlocking geometries that guide workers through the assembly process and ensure proper positioning without requiring complex alignment procedures or specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a cost-effective and efficient shelving display system that can be easily assembled and configured, reducing manufacturing and setup complexities while allowing for customizable shelf arrangements.

Implementation Method 1

The first shelf panel is integrally connected to a strip of material glued to an interior surface of one of the first and second side walls

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS12121163B2Corrugated shelving display with two-piece shelves
Publication Date: 2024.10.22 MENASHA CORP
  • US12121163B2 patent drawing
  • US12121163B2 patent drawing
  • US12121163B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A shelving display formed from a blank of material including a plurality of shelves formed from a first shelf component and a second shelf component.