Nest and Stack Containers With Asymmetric Latching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport containers can only securely stack smaller containers on top of larger ones, not vice versa, leading to instability when a large container is placed on smaller ones due to mismatched latching elements.
Innovation Solution
Designing nest and stack containers with oblique longitudinal and face side walls, featuring feet and latching tongues that allow for flexible alignment and secure stacking in either direction, enabling larger containers to be stacked on multiple smaller ones and vice versa, with a conical shape ensuring slip-proof stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional latching elements are used on container edges, then smaller containers can be stacked on larger ones, but larger containers cannot be securely stacked on smaller ones due to mismatched latching geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The latching system is segmented into two distinct functional zones: latching tongues positioned at the upper edge for engaging with latching grooves in feet, and latching grooves positioned at the lower edge for engaging with latching tongues in stacked containers. This segmentation allows the same container design to securely latch in both stacking directions (small-on-large and large-on-small), resolving the adaptability-reliability contradiction by providing direction-specific latching mechanisms within a unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The container design incorporates nested latching features where latching tongues and grooves are integrated into the container walls and feet structures. The latching tongues extend from the upper edge inward, while latching grooves are formed in the feet, creating an interlocking nested arrangement that secures containers in both stacking orientations without requiring separate latching systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If containers are designed with fixed alignment for nesting, then nesting is simple, but stacking flexibility in multiple directions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The container design employs asymmetric features: the latching tongues are positioned offset from the centerline at the upper edge, and the latching grooves in the feet are correspondingly offset. This asymmetric arrangement enables stacking flexibility in multiple directions while maintaining structural simplicity, as the asymmetric features naturally guide proper alignment during stacking without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The container structure integrates multiple functions into unified elements: the upper edge serves both as a structural boundary and as the mounting location for latching tongues; the feet serve both as support elements and as the location for latching grooves. This multi-functionality allows the same structural elements to handle both nesting and stacking operations in various directions, achieving stacking flexibility without increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A nest and stack container system is provided. The system comprises a plurality of containers in various sizes, allowing the stacking of smaller sized containers on a larger sized container. Alternatively, the large container may be stacked on at least two adjacently-arranged small containers. The inventive nest and stack containers allow flexible handling of various sizes of storage containers. Individual containers can be stacked and nested among each other, and in combination, stacks of containers can be formed in any desired sequence of large and small containers, with individual containers each being placed in a slip-proof manner on top of another container.