Foldable Sliding Element for Nestable Display Container Goods Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display containers and packaging solutions fail to efficiently and safely move goods from the back to the front, leading to visibility issues and increased manual labor costs, as they are often not reusable, lack stability, and can damage goods due to spring-loaded mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible and nestable container with a vertically projecting slide plate and actuating element allows for manual displacement of goods from outside the container, enabling easy access without manual re-sorting, while the slide plate can be folded for compact storage and supports goods to prevent falling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If spring-loaded actuators are used to push goods forward, then goods can be moved to the front, but the spring force may be insufficient for heavy goods or too high causing damage to goods and difficulty in filling
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using spring-loaded actuators that push goods forward, the patent uses a slider that is pulled backward by an elastic element. This inversion of the force direction allows the elastic element to gently guide the slider back to its starting position without exerting excessive force on the goods, thereby protecting them from damage while still enabling effective movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The slider acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the user's manual input and the goods. By pulling the slider backward, the user indirectly moves the goods forward without directly contacting them, providing controlled and damage-free operation suitable for various goods weights.
2Device complexity
If the sliding element is rigidly connected to the actuating element, then the structure is simple, but the container cannot be nested or collapsed
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the slider and actuating element is made dynamic rather than rigid. The slider can be pulled backward relative to the actuating element during operation, and the elastic element provides a restoring force. This dynamic connection allows the container to be collapsed or nested while maintaining the functional integrity of the goods-moving mechanism.
3Illumination intensity
If goods are moved to the end of the container, then visibility is improved, but goods may tip over when packed in flexible containers
Solution Approach 1:
The slider is designed to extend beyond the container walls when in the forward position, creating a self-supporting structure. This extended slider acts as a built-in support that prevents flexible containers from tipping over, while simultaneously improving goods visibility by moving them to the front. The system serves both functions without requiring additional external supports.
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 solution reduces manual effort and costs by allowing easy access to all goods, maintaining product stability, and preventing damage, while being reusable and adaptable to various goods sizes and weights.
Implementation Method 1
The sliding element can have a low-friction coating or be made of a low-friction material, facilitating smooth movement
Implementation Method 2
The sliding element is hinged to the actuating element, in particular by 90°. The sliding element is hinged in the direction of the actuating element to allow the containers to be nested.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a container (1) for transporting and/or presenting goods, in particular a display container with at least one open side (10) or with at least one side wall (6) provided with a display opening, with a base (4) and a sliding element (16), preferably a sliding plate projecting perpendicularly from the base (4), by which goods in the container (1) can be moved relative to the base (4). The container has an actuating element (18) coupled to or integrally formed with the sliding element (16), by which the sliding element (16) can be actuated from outside the container (1), wherein the sliding element (16) is foldable.