Bulk Container Straps for Heavy Load Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bulk containers struggle to safely transport loads exceeding 3 tons due to structural weaknesses, particularly in the integration of tensile forces and floor support, leading to potential container damage and instability.

Innovation Solution

The container design incorporates high-strength plastic fabric for the body and straps, with straps sewn in parallel strips on the side walls and floor, forming loops that distribute tensile forces evenly and provide additional support, ensuring a nominal carrying capacity of over 3 tons by overlapping ends for secure connection to the ground.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the container uses conventional flexible material and basic strap structure, then the container is easy to manufacture and transport, but the carrying capacity is limited to approximately 3 tons or less

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrying capacityVSAvoidstrap configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carrying straps are divided into multiple parallel strips (at least two, preferably three or four) per side wall, with each strip independently sewn to the container body. This segmentation distributes the load across multiple elements, increasing overall carrying capacity while maintaining manageable complexity through modular construction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The straps transition from simple horizontal loops to three-dimensional configurations that wrap around the container body, extending from one upper edge over the top, down the opposite side wall, and across the bottom. This dimensional transformation creates multiple support planes and significantly enhances load-bearing capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If the container body is made from heavy-duty stable material, then the container achieves high carrying capacity, but the container weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer strengthVSAvoidcontainer weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

High-strength plastic fabric is applied specifically to critical load-bearing areas including the container body, base, and strap attachment zones, rather than uniformly throughout. This localized reinforcement achieves the required 6+ ton carrying capacity while minimizing overall weight by concentrating material where structurally necessary

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The container combines plastic fabric for the main body with plastic straps, creating a composite structure that leverages the tensile strength of straps and the structural integrity of the fabric body. This material combination achieves high strength-to-weight ratio suitable for heavy-load applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If the straps are made with sufficient load-bearing material and sewn to support both side wall and floor, then the carrying capacity exceeds 3 tons, but the manufacturing complexity and sewing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrap load-bearing capacityVSAvoidsewing and assembly difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The straps are pre-formed as continuous loops with ends overlapping by 10-50 cm (or more than 1m at the floor) before attachment. This preliminary preparation standardizes the sewing process, allowing workers to attach pre-assembled strap units to the container body rather than sewing individual strap segments, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The overlap length of strap ends is optimized to 10-50 cm for side wall connections and more than 1m for floor connections. This parameter specification ensures sufficient load distribution and connection strength while minimizing excess material and sewing complexity, achieving optimal balance between strength and manufacturability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This design enhances the container's stability and carrying capacity, allowing for safe transport of significantly heavier loads up to 6 tons without requiring new machinery, while maintaining a safety factor of 6:1, and can be used in various applications including civil protection and disaster response.

Implementation Method 1

the loops are parts of the carrying straps, which support both the side wall and the bottom of the container body from the one upper edge of the side wall over this, the bottom and the opposite side wall, wrapping it up to the upper edge and then ending in the loops and connected to the plastic fabric by sewing, and the carrying straps are laid on each side wall in four parallel strips spaced apart from one another on the side walls

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTensile force distribution: Tension

Data Source

PatentEP3416902B1Bulk material container having high load capacity
Publication Date: 2022.04.13 DR KLAUS SCHULTE GMBH CHEM TECHN FABATION
  • EP3416902B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3416902B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3416902B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a bulk material container for storing and transporting bulk material, comprising an internal space (5) formed by the side wall (2), the base (3) and upper cover (4) and made of a stable plastic fabric (24), and comprising loops (9-12), secured on the outside of the side wall (2) and protruding over the upper edge (6-7) of the container body (1), which are parts of flat carrying belts, which are guided to wrap around the container body (1) from the one upper edge (6) of the side wall (2), via the base (3), up to the opposing side wall (2') and upper edge (7), such that they support both the side wall (2) and the base (3), and terminating in the loops (9-12), wherein the carrying belts (15-18) are connected to the plastic fabric (24) with the side wall (2) and the base (3) running at a distance to one another.