Disposable Crate Locking Strip for Mixed Stacking Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing technologies face challenges in safely transporting and stacking disposable and reusable containers together, particularly during short-distance transport between warehouses and sales rooms, as they are not compatible for joint use on a single pallet, leading to instability and safety issues.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a locking strip set back from the edge of the staircase floor, which is glued to the floor and extends along the narrow side, providing additional security by forming a stop that engages behind the opening edge, allowing for stable stacking with reusable plastic containers and enhancing compatibility between disposable and reusable crates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If disposable trays are used for transport, then ease of disposal and recycling is improved, but stacking security and compatibility with reusable crates deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of disposalVSAvoidstacking security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is segmented into separate locking strips that can be independently attached to the disposable crate floor. These strips are positioned to engage with corresponding structures on reusable crates, enabling modular compatibility without compromising the disposable nature of the main crate structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking strip acts as an intermediary element between disposable and reusable crates. By attaching this intermediate component to the disposable crate, it mediates the interaction with reusable crates, enabling secure stacking between incompatible crate types through a bridging mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If disposable and reusable crates are stacked together, then transport flexibility is improved, but stability and safety deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport flexibilityVSAvoidstacking stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The locking strip is designed with universal functionality to work with both disposable and reusable crates. It can be attached to disposable crates and engage with reusable crate structures, making the disposable crate compatible with multiple crate types and enabling flexible mixed-stack configurations without compromising stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If locking strips are added to disposable crates, then stacking security is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestacking securityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking strips are pre-cut and pre-positioned on the disposable crate floor during manufacturing, with adhesive already applied or pre-positioned. This preliminary preparation allows for quick attachment to the crate structure and simplifies the overall manufacturing process by preparing components in advance rather than assembling them during final production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2662299B1Container system for the transport or/and sales display of ventilated goods

Publication Date: 2019.08.07 ENGEL ALEXANDER

Figure 1(a)~2
Figure 3(a)~5
Figure 6(a)~7(c)

AI summary

The container system has upward portion that is opened and made of wood, plywood, chipboard, fiber and cardboard material. The stack of stairs is engaged with the next lower stairs. The stair-securing fix element (9) is protruded from the bottom (1) of the staircase floor.