Collapsible Bulk Container with Hinged Legs and Upper Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bulk containers are not suitable for handling fragile items like fruit or pourable materials like fertilizer, as they lack the necessary support and protection to prevent damage during handling and storage.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible bulk container design featuring a flexible bag, a support base with hingedly secured legs, and a releasable upper frame member that maintains the bag's mouth open, allowing for elevated support and easy stacking in both extended and collapsed positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional bulk containers are used, then storage capacity is achieved, but fragile items are damaged during handling and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The bulk container uses a flexible bag as the containment structure, which can conform to the shape of fragile items and provide cushioning protection. The flexibility of the bag material allows it to absorb impacts and prevent damage to contents during handling and storage operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The container employs collapsible legs that can transition between extended and retracted positions, allowing the container to adapt its height and stability characteristics. This dynamic structure enables the container to provide enhanced support when needed while maintaining protection capabilities throughout the handling process.
2Volume of stationary object
If bulk containers are designed with fixed structure, then structural stability is maintained, but storage space optimization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The container features collapsible legs that can be extended for stability during use and collapsed for compact storage. This dynamic mechanism allows the same structure to serve two opposing needs: providing structural support when in use and minimizing volume when stored, thereby optimizing storage space utilization without requiring a completely different design.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is divided into separable components including the bag, support base, collapsible legs, and upper frame member. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized and enables the container to be stored in a compact configuration when not in use, improving storage space efficiency.
3Productivity
If the bag mouth is left open for easy loading, then loading efficiency is improved, but the bag contents are exposed to damage risks
Solution Approach 1:
The upper frame member is positioned and secured to the legs before the bag is fully loaded, creating a protective structure in advance. This preliminary action establishes a framework that will contain and protect the bag contents throughout the loading process and during subsequent handling, preventing exposure to damage while maintaining loading efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper frame member acts as an intermediary structure between the open bag mouth and the external environment. It provides a protective enclosure that shields the bag contents from damage risks while still allowing for efficient loading operations, mediating between the need for open access and the need for protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible bulk container 10 comprising a bag 12 for holding a bulk load, a support base 14, four collapsible legs 16 and a rectangular upper frame member 18. The legs 16 are secured to the support base 14 by means of hinge assemblies 20 which permit hinged displacement of the legs between upright positions and folded positions wherein the legs are folded onto the support base 14.