Collapsible Container With Pivoting Stacking Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Collapsible containers face difficulties in stacking and handling due to insufficient inboard positioning of stacking rails and the need for reversed folding methods, which complicates the nesting and stacking of containers.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible container design featuring a base, opposed walls, and movable stacking members that pivot between a stacking position and a filling position, along with independent releasable locking mechanisms to maintain the upstanding position of walls, ensuring easy stacking and preventing accidental collapse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If stacking rails are positioned further inboard to allow easy stacking location, then stacking ease is improved, but the container wall structure becomes more complex and folding difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stacking member is designed to pivot between a first position for stacking and a second position for filling, making the structure dynamic rather than static. This allows the same structural element to serve multiple functions at different operational stages, reducing overall complexity while maintaining ease of stacking.
Solution Approach 2:
The stacking member serves dual purposes: it provides stacking support when in the first position, and acts as a filling structure when pivoted to the second position. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate stacking rails and filling structures, simplifying the overall wall structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional folding method is used with stacking rails, then folding simplicity is improved, but the rail cannot come inboard far enough for proper stacking
Solution Approach 1:
The stacking member pivots to change its effective position from a first position that extends far enough inboard for proper stacking to a second position that clears the container opening during filling. This dynamic repositioning solves the contradiction between needing the rail inboard for stacking and needing it outboard for filling.
Solution Approach 2:
The stacking member is pre-positioned in the first position during the stacking operation, allowing proper inboard positioning for stacking support. During filling operations, it is then pivoted to the second position. This preliminary positioning resolves the conflict between stacking requirements and filling requirements.
3Strength
If stacking members are positioned to support stacked container base, then stacking support is improved, but the members obstruct the opening for product filling
Solution Approach 1:
The stacking member pivots between a first position where it extends outward to provide stacking support, and a second position where it is retracted to clear the container opening for filling operations. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction between needing the member extended for stacking and retracted for filling access.
Solution Approach 2:
The stacking member is segmented into a pivotable connection with the container wall, allowing it to be positioned in different spatial configurations. This segmentation enables the member to provide stacking support when needed while clearing the filling path when required, resolving the spatial conflict between stacking and filling operations.
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
The design facilitates efficient stacking and handling by allowing containers to be easily nested and preventing accidental collapse, reducing the force required for stacking member movement and ensuring secure support of additional containers.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the second pair of opposed walls (16) comprises a first recess (20) located at either end on the inner face of each of the second pair of opposed walls (16) and each of the first recesses (20) comprise an angled face (22) extending from the surface of the recess that interacts with the outer edge of the stacking member (18)
Implementation Method 2
Both the pairs of walls pivot about the base at the lower edges thereof, so that the container can be collapsed into a substantially flat position when not in use
Implementation Method 3
the container further comprises a pair of releasable locking mechanisms, each of the releasable locking mechanisms operable to retain one wall of the first pair of opposed walls in an upstanding position
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a collapsible container comprising a pair of stacking members which, when the container is erect, are movable between a stacking position in which the stacking members are positioned to support the base of another container stacked thereon and a filling position in which the stacking members are substantially removed from the opening in the top of the container, and wherein the container further comprises a pair of releasable locking mechanisms, each of the releasable locking mechanisms operable to retain one wall of the first pair of opposed walls in an upstanding position and locked to both the walls of the second pair of walls when the walls of the second pair of walls are also in an upstanding position, and wherein the pair of releasable locking mechanisms are independent of the stacking members.