Adjustable Display Lanes for Vertical Can and Bottle Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retail product display systems for cylindrical containers, such as beverage cans and bottles, often result in underutilized space due to the varying heights of containers, leading to inefficient use of vertical space in refrigerated display cases, as devices are typically designed for specific heights and do not accommodate adjustable lane widths or vertical stacking effectively.
Innovation Solution
A retail product container display system featuring adjustable side rails with deflectable locking tabs and slots, allowing for adjustable lane widths and vertical stacking, along with offset channels for zero lateral spacing between lanes, enabling flexible configuration to accommodate different container sizes and vertical spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-height display devices are used for cylindrical containers, then device simplicity is maintained, but vertical space utilization deteriorates due to underutilized space from varying container heights
Solution Approach 1:
The display device is divided into multiple adjustable lanes that can be independently configured. Each lane can be adjusted in width and position to accommodate different container sizes, allowing the system to adapt to varying container heights and widths without requiring a completely different device configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The display device incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components that allow the lane widths and positions to be dynamically changed. This enables the same device to adapt to different container configurations, maximizing vertical space utilization while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized adjustment mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If display devices are designed for specific container heights, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different container sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The display device is designed with universal components and standardized adjustment mechanisms that can accommodate multiple container sizes and configurations. The adjustable lanes and reconfigurable structure allow a single device design to serve multiple functions across different product types, simplifying manufacturing while enhancing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates adjustable parameters such as lane width, lane position, and connector configurations that can be modified to match different container dimensions. This allows the same manufactured device to be adapted to various container sizes through parameter adjustment rather than requiring different manufacturing specifications.
3Productivity
If lateral spacing between lanes is maintained for ease of assembly, then assembly simplicity is improved, but space utilization deteriorates due to wasted lateral space
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design incorporates segmentation with multiple engagement positions that allow adjacent lanes to be positioned closely together. The segmented connector structure enables precise positioning with minimal lateral spacing while maintaining ease of assembly through standardized connection points.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector and receptacle design features localized engagement features at specific positions that enable tight lateral spacing between lanes. The local quality of the connector geometry allows for precise alignment and secure connection with minimal clearance, optimizing space utilization without compromising assembly ease.
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A retail product container display system includes at least one product storage lane (10). The at least one product storage lane (10) comprising a left hand side rail (10A) and a right hand side rail (10B) and at least two connectors (10C) engaged with receptacles (16) therefore on each of the left hand (10A) and right hand side rails (10B). The receptacles (16) are disposed at corresponding longitudinally spaced apart positions along each of the side rails (10A, 10B). Each of the side rails (10A, 10B) comprises a vertical wall (9) and a horizontal floor (7).