Bakery Goods Container Restraining Plates to Prevent Back-Throws

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing goods containers for self-service removal of items like bread or rolls face issues with goods being thrown back due to inadequate restraining devices, leading to hygiene concerns and jamming, and require complex designs with many moving parts.

Innovation Solution

A stackable goods container with a restraining device comprising two parallel flat elements, one exchangeable and rail-like, and another stationary, arranged at an angle to prevent back-throws, allowing easy cleaning and assembly, and made of transparent materials for visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a restraining device with multiple moving parts is used to prevent goods from being thrown back, then hygiene protection is improved, but device complexity increases and maintenance becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehygiene protectionVSAvoidnumber of moving parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The restraining device is segmented into two separate flat elements (4.1 and 4.2) that can be independently removed and cleaned. This segmentation allows each element to be maintained separately, reducing the complexity of maintaining the entire device while ensuring hygiene standards are met.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flat elements are designed to be exchangeable and removable from the container. This extraction principle allows the restraining elements to be taken out for cleaning and inspection, maintaining hygiene protection without requiring complex in-situ cleaning mechanisms or multiple moving parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a complex restraining device with multiple components is used to prevent goods from being thrown back, then hygiene protection is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehygiene protectionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the restraining device into simple, separate flat elements rather than a complex integrated mechanism, the manufacturing cost of each individual component is reduced while still achieving the required hygiene protection through their combined arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flat elements are designed as simple, exchangeable components that can be easily manufactured and replaced. This approach uses simpler, potentially disposable or easily replaceable elements rather than expensive, complex mechanisms, reducing overall manufacturing costs while maintaining hygiene standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If a restraining device with multiple moving parts is used to prevent goods from being thrown back, then hygiene protection is improved, but ease of cleaning decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehygiene protectionVSAvoidease of cleaning
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The restraining device is divided into separate flat elements (4.1 and 4.2) that can be independently removed and cleaned. This segmentation allows each element to be easily accessed and cleaned separately, greatly improving ease of cleaning compared to a complex integrated device while maintaining hygiene protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flat elements are designed to be exchangeable and removable from the container. This extraction principle allows the restraining elements to be completely taken out for thorough cleaning, making maintenance simple and efficient while ensuring hygiene standards are met.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2661989B1Goods container
Publication Date: 2014.12.24 WANZL METALLWARENFAB GMBH
  • EP2661989B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2661989B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The goods container (1) has a container main portion that is provided with an interior space (2), walls (3), retaining device (4) and pivot plate (5), and closable removal area (6). The retaining device is provided with planar elements (4.1,4.2). The planar elements are arranged parallel to each other at an horizontal angle of approximately equal to 40-55[deg] . A seam-shaped element (4.4) is arranged in the retaining device. The plant elements are formed using transparent material such as glass or acrylic glass.