Crate With Cuttable End Wall For Inspection Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing crates for transporting fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, face issues with uneven air circulation, damage from sharp edges, limited access for inspection, and product damage during stacking due to inadequate design.

Innovation Solution

A foldable crate with vent holes for improved airflow, a convex inner surface to prevent damage, a cuttable end wall for easy inspection, and an arch-shaped bottom to prevent product damage during stacking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If crates are stacked in a five-down configuration, then space utilization is improved, but uniform air circulation between adjacent crates deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoiduniform air circulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The end walls are equipped with grip holes at specific locations while side walls have vent holes distributed across their surfaces. This local differentiation of ventilation features ensures that air can circulate uniformly through the crate stack in the five-down configuration, with each crate contributing to the overall airflow pattern through its specifically positioned openings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If side walls have straight inner surfaces, then manufacturing is simplified, but product damage from sharp edges increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveside wall fabricationVSAvoidproduct damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The inner surfaces of the side walls are designed with curved or rounded features instead of straight edges. This curvature eliminates sharp corners and edges that could damage products like bananas, while still maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard molding or forming processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Area of stationary object

If crates are stacked tightly, then storage efficiency is improved, but access for inspection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoidaccess for inspection

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The end walls incorporate grip holes that can serve as access points for inspection. These segmented openings allow controllers to quickly examine the interior of stacked crates without needing to disassemble the entire stack, maintaining both storage efficiency and operational accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If crates are made open-top for easy loading, then loading efficiency is improved, but product damage from upper crate loads increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading efficiencyVSAvoidproduct damage during stacking

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The design anticipates the potential damage from stacking by incorporating protective features in the crate structure before stacking occurs. The curved inner surfaces and reinforced bottom edges provide cushioning protection to products that may protrude, preventing damage from the loads of upper crates while maintaining open-top design for efficient loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP2371740B1Crate

Publication Date: 2014.06.18 IFCO SYST GMBH

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AI summary

A crate (100) comprises a bottom and two respective pairwise opposing side walls and end walls, wherein at least one end wall (130) comprises a thinned portion (910), and wherein the thinned portion (910) is adapted to allow the user to cut the end wall (130) for providing an inspection opening.