Container Brace Assembly for Lateral Rigidity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Containers lack rigidity in non-product spaces during handling due to mismatched shapes between products and containers, leading to reduced protection during shipping and handling.

Innovation Solution

A lateral brace assembly is introduced, comprising a carrier with a pivoting brace member and end brace members that span across the non-product space, providing reinforcement to the container's sidewalls and corners, enhancing its ability to withstand lateral forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the container is designed with a rectangular shape to accommodate various products, then the container can store different shaped products, but the rigidity of the container is reduced in non-product spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to store different shaped productsVSAvoidrigidity of container sidewalls

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The brace assembly is divided into separate components: a carrier that fits over the product and individual brace members that can be independently positioned and secured. This segmentation allows the bracing system to adapt to different product shapes while providing targeted reinforcement where needed in non-product spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The brace members extend into the non-product space (the empty volume between product and container walls) to provide structural support. By utilizing this previously unused dimensional space, the invention reinforces container sidewalls without interfering with product placement or container adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If brace members are added to reinforce container sidewalls, then the rigidity and protection of the container is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverigidity of container sidewallsVSAvoidstructural complexity of container

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier serves multiple functions: it provides a mounting platform for brace members, fits over the product to define positioning, and can be secured to the container. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining reinforcement capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier is pre-formed and pre-positioned over the product before brace members are attached. This preliminary action establishes a ready-made framework that simplifies subsequent assembly, reducing on-site complexity and making the reinforcement process more straightforward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10494138B1Brace assembly for a container

Publication Date: 2019.12.03 GREEN BAY PACKAGING INC

AI summary

A container for an article includes a series of walls including a top wall that cooperate to define an interior of the container. A brace assembly is positioned toward an upper end defined by the interior of the container, and includes a brace member that is positioned below the top wall of the container and that defines opposite ends, each of which is located adjacent one of a pair of opposite sidewalls of the container. The brace assembly includes a carrier, which may be formed of a series of corrugated panels, and the brace member may be secured to a hinged brace member mounting panel such that the brace member is suspended above an upper surface of an article within the container interior and below the top wall of the container.