Shelf divider netting for use in fulfillment centers, warehouses and distribution centers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current rigid metal structures used in fulfillment centers, warehouses, and distribution centers for separating packages are prone to causing damage and lack vertical adjustability, posing risks to packages and personnel.

Innovation Solution

A flexible netting assembly with a web of industrial strength fabric, equipped with attachment and anchoring devices such as hook and loop fasteners, that can be installed along scaffolding structures to provide adjustable separation while preventing damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid metal structures are used for package separation, then structural strength is improved, but package damage risk increases and vertical adjustability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidpackage damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid metal structures with flexible netting made of industrial strength fabric. The netting provides structural integrity while being compliant and non-abrasive, eliminating the package damage risk associated with rigid metal wires while maintaining the necessary strength for package separation and support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and properties of the separation material from rigid to flexible. By using elastic industrial strength fabric, the system maintains structural strength while adding compliance, allowing the netting to deform under load without damaging packages, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and harm reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid metal structures are used for package separation, then structural stability is improved, but vertical adjustability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidvertical adjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static, fixed-position rigid metal structure into a dynamic, adjustable system. The elastic netting can be installed at various heights along the scaffolding structure and will deform elastically under package weight, providing both vertical adjustability and structural stability through its elastic recovery properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If rigid metal structures are used for package separation, then separation effectiveness is improved, but safety for personnel and equipment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation effectivenessVSAvoidpersonnel and equipment safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces hazardous rigid metal wires with flexible elastic netting that maintains separation effectiveness while eliminating safety hazards. The netting's compliance prevents injury to personnel and damage to equipment during handling operations, while still providing reliable package separation and containment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS10413068B2Shelf divider netting for use in fulfillment centers, warehouses and distribution centers

Publication Date: 2019.09.17 DA-VIDE-IT CORP

AI summary

A netting assembly for use in a fulfillment centers, warehouses and distribution centers includes a web of netting material, an attachment device at a top portion of the netting material for engaging a first rigid surface of the fulfillment center, and an anchoring device at a bottom portion of the netting material for engaging a second rigid surface of the fulfillment center.