Movable Floor Tray for High Density Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tray systems for storing and transporting goods, such as plastic containers, face challenges in achieving high pack density and efficient loading and unloading processes, often requiring complex devices and risking scratches from goods movement.

Innovation Solution

A tray design featuring a movable floor that can be raised for easy loading and unloading, eliminating the need for additional space within the tray for gripping units and allowing for direct access to the goods, thereby enhancing pack density and reducing the risk of scratches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If goods are packed loosely to facilitate loading and unloading, then accessibility is improved, but packing density decreases and goods can move around causing scratches

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility for loading and unloadingVSAvoidpacking density
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the base movable rather than fixed. The base can be raised to provide accessibility for loading and unloading operations, then lowered to maximize packing density and secure goods during transport. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and packing density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If a gripping unit is used to load and unload goods, then loading efficiency is improved, but additional space within the tray is required which reduces packing density

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading efficiencyVSAvoidpacking density
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The movable base allows the tray to accommodate a gripping unit externally without sacrificing internal packing density. The base can be raised to enable gripping operations from the outside, eliminating the need for internal clearance space while maintaining high packing density when the base is lowered.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention resolves the space conflict by moving the gripping operation to another dimension - external to the tray rather than internal. The movable base enables the gripping unit to operate from above or the side, eliminating the need for horizontal clearance within the tray cavity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Quantity of substance

If goods are placed directly into the tray without additional space, then packing density is maximized, but goods may drop with impact during loading

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacking densityVSAvoidimpact damage during loading
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The movable base can be raised to create clearance space above the goods during loading operations, allowing them to be placed gently without impact. After loading, the base is lowered to maximize packing density and secure the goods for transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of manufacture

If trays are designed with fixed bases for structural simplicity, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but loading and unloading require complex external devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidloading and unloading device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movable base enables the tray to perform its own loading and unloading operations by providing accessibility when raised, eliminating or simplifying the need for complex external loading devices. The tray essentially loads and unloads itself through the movement of its base.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4377217B1Tray, stack of trays and method for loading/unloading trays
Publication Date: 2025.05.14 ALPLA WERKE ALWIN LEHNER
  • EP4377217B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4377217B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4377217B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a tray (20) for storing and/or transporting goods, in particular plastic containers (10). The tray (20) comprises two first side walls (22) and two second side walls (23) and four corner elements (24). The side walls (22, 23) are connected to the corner elements (24) by way of plug connections (25). The tray (20) has a movable base (26).