Nestable Box Sidewall Structure for Cross-Container Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stackable and nestable boxes are limited to stacking with identical dimensions and structures, failing to accommodate boxes with different design criteria or dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A stackable and nestable box design featuring recessed and protruding portions, guide teeth, and base surfaces that allow stacking and nesting with containers of similar or compatible dimensions, ensuring stability through lateral self-centering and locking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If boxes are designed with specific stacking mechanisms (teeth and housings) for stable stacking, then stacking stability is improved, but compatibility with boxes of different structural designs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The side wall is designed with both recessed portions and protruding portions that can serve multiple functions: the recessed portions receive protruding portions from lower boxes for nesting, while the protruding portions with side rest surfaces provide stable stacking interfaces. This dual-function design enables the same box structure to be stably stacked with boxes of different structural designs without requiring different stacking mechanisms for different box types.
2Productivity
If boxes are designed to be nestable with identical boxes, then space efficiency is improved, but adaptability to nest with boxes of different structures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The side wall features recessed portions that can receive protruding portions from lower boxes, and protruding portions that can rest on upper boxes, creating a universal nesting interface. This design allows boxes to be nested not only with identical boxes but also with boxes of different structural designs, maintaining space efficiency while improving adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If guide teeth with inclined surfaces are added to facilitate stacking, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Guide teeth are added only at specific locations on the protruding portions where they are most needed for guiding and stabilizing the stacking operation. The guide teeth have inclined surfaces that locally provide guiding functionality without requiring a complete redesign of the entire box structure. This localized addition improves ease of stacking while minimizing the increase in overall structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Stackable and/or nestable box having a bottom wall and a side wall which rises from the bottom wall and which is defined by side panels, a front panel and a rear panel. The side panels include at least one recessed portion which is recessing from the containment volume and at least one portion protruding towards the containment volume. The box is configured to be nested within another box and to be stacked with other boxes or other containers with dimensions compatible with, or close to, the dimensions of box.