Honeycomb Plastic Flat-Object Support for Heavy Stack Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing racks for heavy flat objects like window panes and stone slabs are expensive, heavy, and bulky, making them impractical for handling and storage.

Innovation Solution

A support system made from lightweight, moldable plastic materials, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or nylon, with an L-shaped design and honeycomb structure, allowing for vertical arrangement and easy retrieval of flat objects, and featuring a pallet system for stable stacking and transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional racks are used to support heavy flat objects, then the supporting strength is sufficient, but the weight and bulkiness increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupporting strengthVSAvoidrack weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from traditional heavy materials (metal, wood) to lightweight plastic materials, achieving a significant reduction in rack weight while maintaining sufficient supporting strength for heavy flat objects up to 1000-1500 kg per support

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The rack employs composite structural design combining plastic material with optimized geometric structures including honeycomb patterns and rib reinforcements, creating a lightweight yet strong composite system that resolves the contradiction between weight reduction and strength maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If traditional racks are used to support heavy flat objects, then the supporting strength is sufficient, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupporting strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter to plastic, which offers a favorable cost-strength ratio compared to traditional metals or woods, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining the required supporting strength for heavy loads

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The honeycomb structure introduces a porous design that reduces material consumption and manufacturing cost while maintaining structural integrity and load-bearing capacity through optimized geometric patterns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If heavy racks are used for supporting flat objects, then the stability is sufficient, but the ease of handling and storage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestack stabilityVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the weight parameter by using lightweight plastic materials, making the racks easier to handle, move, and store while maintaining stability through optimized structural design including base geometry and support leg configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The rack is designed as a segmented structure with modular components (base, support legs, cross bars) that can be easily assembled and disassembled, improving handling ease and storage convenience while maintaining overall stack stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4674783A1Support system for arranging flat objects and method for providing a stack of flat objects
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 H D DUIJTS HLDG BV
  • EP4674783A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4674783A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4674783A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Support system (1) for arranging a stack of flat objects (2) that have a main face and an edge, said support system comprising a support (3, 3', 3'', 3''') comprising - a back surface and a coupled support surface together defining an enclosed angle, said back surface and said support surface for together supporting said stack of flat objects, with said support surface supporting the edges and the back surface for supporting a main face of a flat object of the stack of flat objects; - at least one lower end comprising a sole for placing a support on a floor and a coupled rear surface which together with said sole defines the outer angle of the support, said support comprising a front end opposite of the rear surface, said support - produced from a mouldable material with reinforcement ribs forming cells, said support having a support thickness; - providing said sole with a sole width and comprising a lower end; the support system further comprising a support pallet (30) having lower-end-receiving space (32) for allowing insertion of said lower end and holding/enveloping the lower end of the support for keeping said support standing upright under load of said stack of flat objects.