Corner Board Locator for Pallet Stack Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Locating and retaining corner boards on palletized stacks of containers before stretch wrapping or strapping is difficult, leading to instability and potential damage during shipment, storage, and display.

Innovation Solution

A method using a corner board protector with a one-piece corner board locator having a connection and insert portion, where the insert portion is positioned between containers to secure the corner board at a select height, utilizing a corner board with angled panels that fit through an opening in the locator, and optionally incorporating antiskid surfaces or hooks for stretch wrap engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If corner boards are used to protect corners of containers stacked upon a pallet, then corner protection is provided, but locating and retaining the corner boards in place becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorner damageVSAvoidlocating and retaining corner boards

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A corner board locator is introduced as an intermediary device between the corner board and the container stack. The locator includes an insert portion that engages between vertically aligned containers and a connection portion that secures the corner board, making it easy to locate and retain corner boards in place

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The corner board locator is designed to be self-retaining through the insert portion that fits between containers. The structure automatically locates and holds the corner board in the correct position without requiring additional fastening operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If corner boards are used to protect corners, then corner protection is achieved, but the corner boards may become unstable during shipment, storage, and display

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorner damageVSAvoidcorner board stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The corner board locator acts as a stable intermediary structure that anchors the corner board to the container stack. The insert portion engages firmly between vertically aligned containers, providing a stable foundation that prevents corner board movement during handling and transportation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The corner board locator is positioned and secured to the container stack before the corner board is attached. This preliminary action ensures that the corner board will be held in a stable, predetermined position throughout subsequent handling operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9926127B2Method of using a corner board protector

Publication Date: 2018.03.27 THE CALAGARA GRP LLC

AI summary

A method of using a corner board protector to protect a corner on a palletized stack of containers. The method includes the steps of forming a one piece, corner board locator having a connection portion and an insert portion, and the corner board locator having an opening formed therethrough. Positioning the insert portion between two vertically aligned containers of the palletized stack of containers. Forming a corner board having two angled panels and a length. Inserting the two angled panels through the opening formed in the corner board locator to retain the corner board at a select height relative to the palletized stack of containers.