Collapsible Container Sliding Door for Stacked Inspection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing collapsible crates do not allow for easy access to the interior when stacked, making random inspections of contents within the stack challenging.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible crate design featuring a base and multiple walls, where at least one wall includes a sliding or pivotable door that allows access to the interior, enabling containers within the stack to be inspected without disassembling the stack.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the crate is designed as a collapsible container for efficient stacking and storage, then storage efficiency and shipping space utilization are improved, but access to the interior when stacked becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage volumeVSAvoidaccess to interior

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The crate wall is segmented into two parts: a fixed outer wall and a movable inner door. This segmentation allows the door to be independently opened while maintaining the integrity of the stacked crate structure, enabling access without disrupting the stack.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The door is designed with dynamic movement capability, allowing it to slide or pivot between closed and open positions. This dynamic feature enables easy access to the crate interior while maintaining the collapsed storage configuration, resolving the contradiction between compact storage and operational accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a traditional fixed wall design is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but access to interior contents requires disassembling the stack

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to interiorVSAvoiddoor mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The door function is extracted as a separate movable component from the fixed wall structure. This allows the door to be independently operated for access while the main crate structure remains simple and stackable, minimizing overall complexity while enabling easy access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The door acts as an intermediary element between the fixed wall and the crate interior. It provides a controlled access point that simplifies the access operation without requiring complex disassembly mechanisms, balancing operational ease with structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the door is made slidable for smooth operation, then ease of opening is improved, but the door structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor openingVSAvoidsliding mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The door utilizes a sliding mechanism with thin profile guides that allow smooth movement without bulky mechanical components. This approach maintains ease of operation while keeping the door structure relatively simple and integrated with the crate wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS12234057B2Collapsible container with door

Publication Date: 2025.02.25 REHRIG PACIFIC CO INC

AI summary

A collapsible container includes a base and a plurality of walls pivotable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the base. A first wall includes an opening therethrough. A first door selectively covers the opening through the first wall. In one embodiment, the first door is slidable between an open, retracted position away from the opening and a closed position covering the opening.