Low Depth Dairy Crate Nesting Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage crates are inefficient in reducing volume when empty, as they do not nest well, leading to increased storage and shipping costs.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a base with recessed areas and side walls with upper and lower portions, featuring ribs and slots for nesting, allowing empty crates to occupy less volume by interlocking with each other.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full height crates are used to maximize protection, then container protection is improved, but storage and shipping volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crate features a reduced depth design that allows nested stacking of empty crates within each other, significantly reducing storage volume. The opening in the base and specific geometric dimensions enable one crate to fit partially inside another, transforming the storage efficiency without compromising protection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the dimensional approach by reducing the depth (z-dimension) of the crate while optimizing the base area and wall structure. This dimensional modification allows for more efficient stacking arrangements and reduces the overall volume occupied by empty crates in storage.
2Volume of stationary object
If nestable crate design is implemented to reduce storage volume, then storage efficiency is improved, but nesting capacity remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
The crate is divided into functional segments including a base with an opening, side walls with specific thicknesses, and a reduced depth configuration. This segmentation allows the crate to nest effectively while maintaining structural integrity and protection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies key geometric parameters including reducing the depth from full container height to a optimized dimension, creating specific wall thicknesses, and designing the base opening dimensions. These parameter changes enable improved nesting capacity while maintaining adequate protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A crate for storing containers includes a plurality of walls and a base connected to the plurality of walls. The base includes a plurality of recessed areas each having a first container contact surface spaced from a second container contact surface.