Intermediate Bulk Container With Plastic Shell Housing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) face issues with incomplete shielding due to gaps in metal structures, susceptibility to corrosion, and laborious assembly processes, especially when handling aggressive substances or complex geometries.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring two shell-like housing components that encase a fillable tank, providing complete protection and reduced assembly steps, with a cuboid shape for optimal pallet utilization and stackability, and incorporating features like forklift slots and integral ladder sections for improved handling and accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal supporting structures (wire mesh cage, bar frame) are used, then structural strength and shielding are provided, but incomplete shielding due to gaps and susceptibility to corrosion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a plastic shell (housing component) to replace the traditional metal wire mesh or bar frame structure. This shell completely encloses the internal tank, providing both structural strength and complete shielding without gaps. The plastic material inherently resists corrosion, especially from aggressive substances, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural strength and corrosion resistance.
2Strength
If metal supporting structures are used, then structural support is provided, but laborious assembly due to numerous single metal bars or tubes is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate metal bars or tubes into a single integrated plastic shell (housing component). This monolithic structure provides the same structural support function as the assembled metal framework but eliminates the need for piecing together numerous individual components, significantly simplifying the assembly process and reducing manufacturing labor.
3Adaptability or versatility
If foldable IBCs with multiple single parts are used, then flexibility is provided, but high number of assembly operations are necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate housing components into a single integrated plastic shell. This reduces the number of parts from multiple foldable walls to one monolithic structure, thereby eliminating the high number of assembly operations while maintaining the necessary structural functions.
4Reliability
If shell-like housing components are used, then complete protection and reduced assembly steps are achieved, but manufacturing complexity of molded parts is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a plastic shell manufactured through molding processes. While molding complex three-dimensional shell shapes requires specialized manufacturing capability, it enables complete enclosure and protection of the internal tank in a single integrated component, achieving complete protection with reduced assembly steps compared to traditional metal structures.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention concerns a container (1) for the transport and storage of, especially liquid or granulated, goods, more particular an intermediate bulk type container, comprising a fillable internal bag or tank (2) and a supporting structure (3.1, 3.2) at least partially enclosing said bag or tank. According to the underlying inventive idea, the supporting structure (3.1, 3.2) comprises at least two shell-like housing components (3.1, 3.2), which can be releasably connected to enclose the bag or tank (2) at least partially, preferably from all sides, more preferably completely.