Modular Container System for Dry Mortar Logistics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional metal silos for storing free-flowing building materials like dry mortar are costly, require significant logistics efforts, and result in material waste due to mismatched capacity and high transport costs, with a desire for cost-effective and eco-friendly solutions for construction sites.

Innovation Solution

A modular container system comprising an inner container, base arrangement, and detachable attachments made from lightweight materials like plastic, allowing for easy assembly, disassembly, and adaptation to site needs, with a protective screen to handle mechanical loads and prevent material waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional metal silos are used for storing free-flowing building materials, then storage capacity and durability are ensured, but transport costs and logistics effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidtransport cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The container system is divided into modular components: an inner container for holding material, a base arrangement for support, and detachable attachments for different configurations. This segmentation allows only the necessary components to be transported and assembled on-site, reducing transport costs while maintaining storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The container system uses inexpensive, disposable inner containers made of plastic instead of durable metal silos. These containers are designed for single-use or limited-use applications, eliminating the high transport costs associated with heavy metal structures while providing sufficient storage capacity for construction site needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Strength

If conventional metal silos are used, then structural strength is ensured, but manufacturing costs and logistics effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The container system combines different materials optimally: plastic for the inner container (cost-effective and sufficient for the application), metal only for the base arrangement and attachments where structural strength is actually needed. This composite approach reduces manufacturing costs compared to all-metal construction while maintaining necessary strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Metal material is applied only locally where structural strength is required (base arrangement and attachments), while the inner container uses inexpensive plastic. This local quality principle ensures structural integrity at critical points while minimizing overall manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Quantity of substance

If fixed-capacity metal silos are used, then storage capacity is ensured, but adaptability to different construction site needs decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidadaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The container system is designed with detachable attachments that can be added or removed based on construction site requirements. The inner container can be combined with different attachment configurations to adapt storage capacity and functionality to specific needs, providing dynamic adaptability unlike fixed metal silos.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The base arrangement and attachments are designed as universal components that can work with different inner containers and be configured for various applications. This multi-functionality allows the same basic components to serve different construction site needs, enhancing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of manufacture

If disposable one-way containers are used, then logistics costs are reduced, but assembly and disassembly effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelogistics costVSAvoidassembly effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container system is segmented into clearly defined modular components with standardized connection interfaces. The inner container, base arrangement, and attachments are designed to assemble and disassemble easily through simple coupling mechanisms, reducing the effort required compared to non-modular disposable containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4169851A1Container system, protective screen, container and conveyor system

Publication Date: 2023.04.26 DAW SE

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Figure 5~7

AI summary

A container system (1) for a free-flowing, in particular powdery, filling material, such as a dry mortar for an adhesive and/or reinforcing compound, comprises an inner container (3), in particular one dense enough to hold the filling material, which is designed and equipped to receive the filling material; and a base arrangement (5) with a concave, upwardly open support receptacle (51), which is designed and equipped to support the inner container (3), wherein an opening (55) is arranged in a lower area, in particular at the lower end (53), of the support receptacle (51), and at least one first attachment (7), which is placed or can be attached, in particular detachably, to the base arrangement (5) and has an interior space (71) into which the inner container (3) is inserted or can be inserted.