Container Retaining Elements for Open Bag Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing containers used in e-commerce for storing and transporting paper bags are cumbersome due to the tendency of paper bag walls to close automatically, making it difficult to insert goods quickly and efficiently.

Innovation Solution

The container features holding elements, such as upward-pointing holding tongues, ribs, or mandrels, that keep the paper bags open by engaging with the bag's edge, allowing easy insertion and filling without requiring manual manipulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If paper bags are placed in containers for storing and transporting goods, then the containers can hold and transport multiple bags efficiently, but the paper bag walls tend to close automatically at the top, making it difficult and time-consuming to insert goods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of inserting goods into bagsVSAvoidease of inserting goods into bags

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining elements are pre-installed on the container walls at a height that corresponds to the opening of the paper bag. When a bag is placed in the container, the retaining elements automatically engage with the bag opening, preliminarily holding it open before goods are inserted. This eliminates the need for manual opening and holding during the filling process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining elements are designed to automatically engage with the paper bag opening when the bag is placed in the container. The system serves itself by using the bag's own structure (the opening) to interact with the retaining elements, which automatically hold the bag open without requiring external manual intervention or additional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If manual opening and holding of paper bag tops is required, then goods can be inserted, but the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of filling paper bagsVSAvoidtime required for filling bags

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining elements are pre-positioned on the container walls at the appropriate height to correspond with the paper bag opening. When a bag is placed in the container, the retaining elements automatically engage with the bag opening, preliminarily holding it open before goods are inserted. This eliminates the need for manual opening and holding during the filling process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If retaining elements are added to containers to hold paper bags open, then goods can be inserted easily, but the container structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of goods insertionVSAvoidcontainer structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining elements are integrated directly into the container wall structure. Instead of being separate attachable components, they are formed as part of the container wall itself, merging the retaining function with the structural function of the container wall. This reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the bag-holding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining elements utilize the natural parameters of the container wall (material properties, wall thickness, structural strength) to provide the retaining function. By changing the local parameters of the wall structure to include protruding elements, the system achieves bag retention without requiring fundamentally different or complex structural changes to the entire container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3239067B1Container into which open bags can be placed for holding goods

Publication Date: 2019.02.06 BEKUPLAST MBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to containers (1) with a base (2) and four side walls (3, 4), wherein open bags for receiving goods, such as packaged or unpackaged goods, can be inserted into the container (1), wherein the container (1) has retaining elements (5) on one side wall (3, 4) or on at least two opposing side walls (3, 4), with which a bag edge area of a bag inserted into the container (1) can be brought into a retaining engagement that keeps the bag open, and wherein the retaining elements (5) are each arranged in an upper side wall edge area (30) of the side walls (3, 4).Each retaining element (5) is formed either by at least one upwardly pointing retaining tongue (51) or by at least one retaining rib (52) running parallel to or in the side wall surface facing the interior of the container and forming a gap (52') with the side wall surface or also by at least one retaining pin (53) projecting upwards and/or outwards from the side wall (3, 4) and tapering to a point at its free end.