Reusable Agricultural Container with Segmented Frame and Foldable Sleeves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional containers for agricultural products are costly, environmentally harmful, sensitive to humidity, and lack reusability and stackability, while also being unsuitable for chilled/frozen products and ineffective in displaying merchandise.
Innovation Solution
An open-top container with a rectangular frame and foldable sleeves made of plastic sheet material, allowing for easy assembly, disassembly, and reuse, with features like aesthetic appeal and full-color printing, and designed for efficient stacking and palletizing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional containers (pulp-based cardboard, extruded synthetic boards, injected plastic crates) are used, then storage and shipping functionality is provided, but production cost increases, environmental harm increases, and reusability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into separate components: a rigid frame structure and flexible sleeves that can be wrapped around it. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing of individual parts, reduced material usage, and improved recyclability of each component separately, thereby reducing production costs and environmental impact
Solution Approach 2:
The container design enables easy disassembly and separation of components, with the rigid frame and flexible sleeves that can be independently recovered, reused, or recycled. This facilitates material recovery and reduces waste disposal costs, addressing both production cost and environmental harm concerns
2Productivity
If conventional containers are used, then storage functionality is provided, but stackability for palletizing is poor and space efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The container uses a modular segmented design with a rigid frame and separate flexible sleeves, allowing for standardized dimensions and configurations that optimize stacking arrangements on pallets, thereby improving space efficiency without complicating the overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid frame structure serves multiple functions: providing structural support, enabling stackability through standardized connection points, and facilitating palletizing. This multi-functionality improves productivity without significantly increasing device complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional containers are used, then basic storage is provided, but display capability to ultimate consumers is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sleeves can be manufactured in various colors and patterns, or printed with marketing information, product images, and branding elements. This color and graphic versatility enhances display capability and consumer appeal without requiring complex structural modifications to the container
4Reliability
If conventional containers are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but sensitivity to humidity increases and reusability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The container combines a rigid frame (made from materials resistant to humidity such as metal or treated wood) with flexible sleeves (made from humidity-resistant materials like plastic-coated fabric or treated paper). This composite construction maintains structural integrity while reducing overall humidity sensitivity and enabling repeated use
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1e
Figure 2a
AI summary
An open top container comprising a rectangular frame having four frame- members (H1;H2;H3;H4) and four legs (G1;G2;G3;G4) extending from the four corners of the frame. A first sleeve (S1) made of a foldable sheet material is wrapped over a first pair of opposite frame-members, and a second sleeve (S2) made of a foldable sheet material is wrapped over a second pair of opposite frame-members.