Nestable Container Corner Columns for Stable Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stackable and nestable containers face challenges such as asymmetrical designs complicating handling, limited load-bearing capacity, and vulnerability to damage, especially during transport and storage, due to fragile structures and open trays.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring conical, hollow corner columns and double-walled sidewalls that can be closed with slide elements for nesting and stacking, providing stability and protection for contents, with locking mechanisms to secure the position of nested or stacked containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the container uses an open tray design with corner columns, then nesting is enabled, but the structure becomes fragile and goods can fall out or be damaged during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed with hollow corner columns that receive corner columns of nested containers, enabling space-efficient nesting while maintaining structural integrity through the enclosed design
Solution Approach 2:
The container incorporates a bottom closure and optional sidewall closures that seal the previously open tray structure, protecting goods while allowing the container to maintain its nesting functionality
2Adaptability or versatility
If the container is designed to be both stackable and nestable, then versatility is improved, but the structural complexity and load-bearing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The corner columns are designed with dual functionality: they enable nesting when hollow and receive nested containers, and they serve as stacking surfaces when closure elements are engaged, allowing the same structure to support both nesting and stacking operations
Solution Approach 2:
The closure elements can be moved between open and closed positions, dynamically changing the container's functionality from nestable to stackable, and the conical shape allows flexible insertion orientations
3Adaptability or versatility
If asymmetric container designs are used for stacking, then stacking capability is improved, but handling becomes more complicated and loading area accessibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs conical corner columns with asymmetric orientation that enable stable stacking while the rounded conical shape maintains ease of handling and loading from multiple directions
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire container asymmetric for stacking, the invention uses symmetric conical columns that can be oriented in specific directions, achieving stacking capability while preserving handling ease through the rounded, uniform shape
Data Source
AI summary
A container includes a base and conically formed, hollow corner columns that project from the base and are open on the underside of the base. Corner columns of another, structurally identical or compatible container can penetrate into the hollow corner columns of the container from the underside of the base, so that the two containers can be nested. The corner columns can be closed by a slide element so that the container can be stacked on the corner columns of the other container. A side wall projects from the base and is open on the underside of the base. The sidewall is between two corner columns such that a side wall of the other container can penetrate into the side wall from the underside of the base to nest the two containers. The side wall and the corner columns can be closed at the base by a slide element.