Coupled Container Handling for Windscreen Logistics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container solutions for transporting and storing fragile or non-uniform shape items like vehicle windscreens are inefficient, particularly at smaller depots where large containers are not suitable, leading to inefficiencies in distribution centers.

Innovation Solution

A container design featuring under-slung tine guides for easy lifting, rotatable support members for movement, and securing means to couple adjacent containers for unified handling and transportation, allowing for efficient loading and unloading of windscreens at distribution centers while enabling decoupling for separate shipping to smaller depots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If large containers are used at centralized distribution centers for efficient loading, then loading efficiency is improved, but container size becomes unsuitable for smaller local depots

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading efficiencyVSAvoidcontainer size adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The container system is divided into multiple individual container units that can be coupled together in various combinations. Each container can be independently handled or combined with others, allowing the same container type to serve both large distribution centers (multiple coupled containers) and smaller depots (single container), thus resolving the contradiction between loading efficiency and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple container units are designed to be coupled together using securing means to form a larger handling unit. This allows efficient bulk handling at centralized distribution centers while maintaining the option to separate and ship individual containers to smaller depots, thereby achieving both high productivity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple containers are shipped separately to smaller depots, then container size matches depot capacity, but handling efficiency decreases at centralized distribution centers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer size matchingVSAvoidhandling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The container system provides dynamic configurability where containers can be coupled together during loading at centralized distribution centers for efficient bulk handling, then separated for shipment to smaller depots. The securing means allows rapid coupling and decoupling operations, maintaining high handling efficiency while adapting to different depot requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If containers are coupled together for unified handling, then handling efficiency improves, but securing mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling efficiencyVSAvoidsecuring mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The securing means is designed to be self-contained and self-operating, with securing elements that automatically engage with complementary formations on adjacent containers. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for complex external securing systems while maintaining efficient coupled handling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If securing elements are mounted externally on containers, then securing capability is improved, but susceptibility to damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring capabilityVSAvoiddamage susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The securing elements are nested within or integrated into the container frame structure rather than being externally mounted. This nesting approach protects the securing elements from damage while maintaining their functional capability for coupling containers together securely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP2812256B1container

Publication Date: 2017.04.12 BELRON HUNGARY KFT ZUG BRANCH

AI summary

A container (1) for transportation and/or storage of items is provided with under-slung lifting formations (8, 9) for aiding lifting of the container, rotatable support members (10, 11) upon which the container may be moved, and/or means (17) for securing like containers positioned in side by side relationship to be releasably secured to one another. The invention enables securing together containers in side by side relationship and moving/lifting the containers together between picking or loading locations. Following loading of the containers with at least some material at the distributed picking/loading locations, the containers may be disengaged and separated for onward transportation in separation.