Plastic Container Hook Coupling for Dense Storage Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Plastic containers stacked one behind the other pose challenges during storage and retrieval, requiring additional devices for placement and retrieval, and inefficient use of storage space.
Innovation Solution
A plastic container with a hook element on one side wall and a complementary receiving element on the opposite side wall, both featuring a U-shaped cross-sectional profile and stabilizing ribs, allowing form-fitting coupling and efficient force transmission between containers, enabling them to be stacked and retrieved without additional devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If plastic containers are stacked one behind the other for storage, then storage density is improved, but retrieval operation becomes difficult and requires additional devices
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into two functional parts: a hook element on the first side wall and a receiving element on the opposite second side wall. This segmentation allows containers to be individually coupled and decoupled, enabling high-density storage while maintaining ease of retrieval through simple hooking and unhooking actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The hook and receiving elements are designed to enable self-coupling of containers without requiring additional external devices. The form-fitting design allows containers to automatically engage with each other when placed in storage, and can be easily separated by pulling, making the system self-sufficient for both storage and retrieval operations.
2Ease of operation
If additional devices are used for placing and retrieving stacked containers, then retrieval operation is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container design incorporates built-in hook and receiving elements that eliminate the need for external handling devices. The containers can be coupled and decoupled using only their own structural features, reducing device complexity to zero while maintaining operational ease through simple manual manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling function is extracted from external devices and integrated directly into the container structure itself. The hook and receiving elements are permanent features of the container, removing the need for separate coupling mechanisms or additional equipment.
3Quantity of substance
If containers are coupled form-fittingly using hook elements, then storage density is improved, but force transmission requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The force transmission function is segmented and distributed to multiple stabilizing ribs within the hook element structure. These ribs reinforce the hook to handle pulling and pushing forces, allowing form-fitting coupling for high-density storage while managing force transmission through distributed structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The hook element is designed as a composite structure combining the container wall material with integrated reinforcing ribs. This composite design provides the necessary strength for force transmission while maintaining the form-fitting coupling capability for dense storage arrangements.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a plastic container for storing and transporting objects, which comprises a bottom and four side walls. A first of the side walls comprises, on an outer side of the plastic container, a hook element made of plastic, which comprises a downwardly open U-shaped cross-sectional profile in a sectional plane perpendicular to the first side wall and to the bottom of the plastic container. Furthermore, the hook element comprises a plurality of stabilizing ribs.