Dock Leveller Ramp Seal With Flexible Loop for Pest Blocking

Solution Overview

Problem

Dock levelling systems suffer from gaps between the ramp and recess walls that allow entry of pests like rodents, and existing seals are complex, bulky, and ineffective against chewing pests.

Innovation Solution

A flexible seal with attachment strips on either edge, forming a closed loop to fit the gap, using Kevlar for durability, and magnetic or adhesive strips for easy installation and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an essentially omega-shaped cross-section surface element is used to seal the gap, then the seal can be constructed with a magnetic carrier strip, but the seal becomes bulky and difficult to store or transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidstorage volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is divided into two separate attachment strips positioned on opposite sides of the flexible strip. These strips can be attached independently to the ramp, allowing the seal to be installed in a compact state and reducing storage volume while maintaining sealing effectiveness through the flexible strip bridging the gap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seal uses a flexible strip instead of a rigid omega-shaped structure. This flexible strip can be easily stored and transported in a compact form, yet when installed it forms an effective seal by flexing to contact the recess wall, eliminating the bulkiness of traditional rigid seal structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If an essentially omega-shaped cross-section surface element is used to seal the gap, then the seal can be constructed with a magnetic carrier strip, but the construction becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidconstruction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is divided into two separate attachment strips positioned on opposite sides of the flexible strip. These strips can be attached independently to the ramp, allowing the seal to be installed in a compact state and reducing storage volume while maintaining sealing effectiveness through the flexible strip bridging the gap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seal uses a flexible strip instead of a rigid omega-shaped structure. This flexible strip can be easily stored and transported in a compact form, yet when installed it forms an effective seal by flexing to contact the recess wall, eliminating the bulkiness of traditional rigid seal structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If a surface element with essentially omega-shaped cross-section is used, then the seal can be constructed, but it is not effective to stop pests such as rodents as they will simply chew through the surface element

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstruction easeVSAvoidpest resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The seal combines a flexible strip made of pest-resistant material (such as metal mesh, heavy-duty plastic, or treated fabric) with magnetic or adhesive attachment strips. This composite construction maintains ease of manufacture while providing resistance to chewing pests, as the flexible strip material itself is resistant to rodent damage unlike soft foam or rubber seals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The seal effectively blocks pests while being compact for storage and transport, and easy to construct, using flexible Kevlar that resists chewing.

Implementation Method 1

each attachment strip is a magnetic strip

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

each attachment strip may an adhesive strip, or other suitable attaching means

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS12486126B2Seals for dock levelling systems, methods of sealing gaps in dock levelling systems, and methods of arranging seals for dock levelling systems for storage or transportation

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 RENTOKIL INITIAL 1927 PLC

AI summary

A seal for a dock levelling system including a movable ramp arranged within a recess. The seal is for sealing a gap between a side of the movable ramp and a wall of the recess, and including a flexible strip formed of a flexible material, and on each longitudinal edge of the flexible strip, an attachment strip for attaching the flexible strip to the side of the movable ramp. The seal is arranged so that when the attachment strips are attached adjacently to each other to the side of the movable ramp, the material of the flexible strip between the attachment strips forms a closed loop extending out from the side of the movable ramp to the wall of the recess, to seal the gap between the side of the movable ramp and the wall of the recess.