Container Base Mesh Reinforcement and Lid Strap Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Containers with polygonal bases, particularly those with rectangular configurations, face issues such as sagging or breaking under heavy loads and are vulnerable to theft due to the use of straps for stacking and attachment.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a base with a reinforcing mesh formation and a rim portion, along with a lid that includes a holding formation with curved convexity and retaining members to secure straps, preventing theft and enhancing structural integrity without increasing weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the base of the container is made thicker to prevent sagging and breaking under heavy loads, then the strength and rigidity of the base is improved, but the weight of the container increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base is constructed as a composite structure combining a relatively thin base material with an integrated mesh formation (reinforcement structure). This composite design provides the strength and rigidity of a thick base while maintaining the low weight advantage of the thin base material, effectively resolving the contradiction between strength improvement and weight increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The base is segmented into two functional components: the base material itself and the integrated mesh formation (reinforcement structure). This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the base material provides flexibility and low weight, while the mesh formation provides structural strength and rigidity, avoiding the need for a uniformly thick heavy base.
2Ease of operation
If straps are wrapped around containers to attach them for transport, then the ease of stacking and transport is improved, but the security of the container against theft deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The security function is extracted from the external strap system and integrated into the container structure itself through the mesh formation. The mesh formation acts as an inherent security feature that prevents theft without requiring external straps, thereby maintaining ease of stacking while improving security against theft.
Solution Approach 2:
The security function is merged with the structural reinforcement function of the mesh formation. The same mesh structure that strengthens the base also serves as an anti-theft feature, eliminating the need for separate security measures and avoiding the security vulnerabilities associated with external straps.
3Strength
If a mesh formation is added to the base to strengthen it without increasing weight, then the strength-to-weight ratio is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh formation is merged with the base material to form an integrated composite structure. This integration approach combines the strengthening function and the base structure into a single unified component, thereby improving the strength-to-weight ratio while minimizing the increase in device complexity compared to adding separate reinforcement elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A container (10) having a base (12) is disclosed. The container (10) also has an upstanding side wall (14) extending upwardly from the base (12). The base (12) has an upper face (16) and a lower face (18). The base (12) defines an external recess (20) in extending upwardly from the lower face (18). The container (10) further includes a mesh formation in the recess (20). A lid (110) for a container (1100) is also disclosed. The lid (110) comprises a first surface (118) facing in a first direction. The lid (110) also has a second surface opposite the first surface (118). The lid (110) has a rim arrangement (111) comprising a holding formation (122) having a curved convexity (126A) facing in a second direction away from the first direction. The holding formation (122) comprises a plurality of spaced retaining members (128) on said convexity (126A). The retaining members (128) extend in the second direction, and are arranged so that a securing member (124) extending across the convexity (126A) between adjacent retaining members (128) is retained on the holding formation (122) by the retaining members (128).