Container Side Wall Recess for Pulling Element Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container designs for storing and transporting objects lack efficient stacking and retrieval mechanisms, leading to space inefficiencies in warehouses and potential stability issues during transportation.

Innovation Solution

The container features a contact area with a truss extending from the side wall, allowing for perpendicular positioning and pressure distribution, along with a 'saved room' for a pulling element, enabling direct stacking and easy retrieval without requiring additional space, while also incorporating design elements like ribs and a flat surface to enhance stability and prevent tilting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If containers are stacked directly next to each other without intermediate space, then storage space efficiency is improved, but retrieval becomes difficult as the pulling element cannot access the container side

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage space efficiencyVSAvoidretrieval accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts material from the side wall to create a recess that accommodates the pulling element. This recess is formed by removing portions of the side wall structure, allowing the pulling element to be inserted without requiring intermediate space between containers. The extraction of material creates the necessary access volume while maintaining the container's structural integrity through the remaining side wall portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The pulling element is nested within the recess formed in the side wall. The recess provides a cavity that houses the pulling element, allowing it to be positioned within the container's side wall structure rather than requiring external space. This nesting approach enables the pulling mechanism to be integrated into the container's own structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If a recess is created in the side wall for the pulling element, then retrieval accessibility is improved, but the side wall structure becomes weaker

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretrieval accessibilityVSAvoidside wall structural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The side wall is designed with non-uniform structure where the recess is created only in the specific region needed for pulling element access. The remaining portions of the side wall maintain their full structural thickness and strength. This local modification approach ensures that the recess is provided only where necessary for retrieval operations, while the rest of the side wall retains its full load-bearing capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The recess is positioned asymmetrically in the side wall, typically at the lower portion or corner, rather than being centrally located. This asymmetric placement allows the pulling element to access the container from the bottom or side corner, providing retrieval capability while maintaining symmetry and strength in the upper portions of the side wall that bear the primary structural load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Stability of the object's composition

If the contact area is increased to distribute pressure, then stability during stacking is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestacking stabilityVSAvoidcontact area structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contact area is merged with the recess structure in the side wall. The recess and contact area form an integrated feature of the side wall rather than being separate components. The contact area extends into the recessed region, combining the pressure distribution function with the pulling element accommodation function in a single structural feature, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The side wall structure serves multiple functions: it provides the primary structural support, creates the recess for the pulling element, and forms the contact area for pressure distribution during stacking. By designing the side wall to fulfill all these functions simultaneously, the patent avoids adding separate components for each function, thereby maintaining structural simplicity while achieving enhanced stability and retrieval capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4497696A1Container with a recess on a side wall for introducing a return arm of a return device for pulling the container

Publication Date: 2025.01.29 BITO LAGERTECHNIK BITTMANN GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a container (1) for storing and transporting objects, wherein the container has a bottom (2) which defines a loading space (3) of the container downwards, and side walls (4-7) extending upwards from the bottom, wherein at least one side wall (4) has a contact area (8) extending perpendicular to the bottom for positioning the container behind another container and a recess (9) opposite the contact area on at least one side of the side wall, wherein the recess extends at least horizontally from an outer edge (10) of the side wall continuously to the contact area.