Display Container With Stretchable Grid Side Walls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display containers for goods struggle to balance protection during transport with the need for presentation, as foldable or collapsible designs often compromise on security, space efficiency, and ease of use, leading to issues like goods falling or being damaged during transport and storage.

Innovation Solution

A container with a lattice-shaped side wall structure that can be stretched and compressed, allowing for secure transport and unhindered presentation, featuring a grid structure that can be pulled apart or closed without requiring additional space, made from a single piece of plastic for manufacturing ease and cost-effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If side walls are made solid to protect goods during transport, then protection reliability is improved, but goods visibility and accessibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection reliabilityVSAvoidgoods visibility and accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The side wall is designed as a dynamic structure that can change its state between closed and open positions. The grid-like structure with expandable and compressible sections allows the side wall to adapt its configuration based on whether the container is in transport mode (closed for protection) or display mode (open for visibility), resolving the contradiction between protection and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If side walls are made foldable or collapsible to improve presentation, then goods visibility is improved, but structural stability and protection deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegoods visibilityVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The side wall is segmented into multiple grid sections that can independently expand and compress. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain stability when closed while enabling easy opening for display, as each segment can move independently without compromising the overall structural integrity of the container.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If side walls are completely removed for display, then goods accessibility is improved, but protection during transport deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegoods accessibilityVSAvoidprotection during transport
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The side wall structure is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable between fully closed and fully open states. The grid-like structure with expandable sections allows the side wall to provide complete protection during transport when closed, and complete accessibility when opened, eliminating the need for permanent removal while maintaining both protection and accessibility as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If storage space is added for removed side walls, then adaptability is improved, but container height and space efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidcontainer height
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The storage function for side walls is merged with the base structure of the container. The recesses are integrated into the base, allowing removed side walls to be stored within the container's footprint without adding external height. This combining of storage functionality with the existing base structure maintains adaptability while avoiding increased container dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3489162B1Display container
Publication Date: 2023.11.15 IFCO SYST GMBH
  • EP3489162B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3489162B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3489162B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A container (2) for the transport and storage of goods is disclosed, comprising a base (4) and side walls (6, 8, 10, 12) extending from the base (4). According to the invention, at least one of the side walls (6) or a part thereof is formed by a grid-like structure (20) which is stretchable and compressible or extendable and compressible at least in one direction and in the plane of the side wall, in order to limit or close the container (2) laterally in a first position and to release the container (2) laterally in a second position.