Nestable Container Corner Structure for Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional containers face challenges in achieving increased stacking capacity while minimizing the use of satellite rings, which often decreases stacking capacity and increases production costs.
Innovation Solution
The container design incorporates nestable, step-like corner structures that reduce the need for satellite rings, providing increased stacking capacity, strength, and lower production costs, while also allowing for faster production times and improved nesting support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional satellite rings and ribs are used to facilitate stacking, then stacking capacity is maintained, but production cost increases and stacking capacity is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes satellite rings and ribs from the container design, extracting these unnecessary components that increased production cost without providing adequate stacking support. The corner structure itself is designed to provide nesting support without additional satellite rings, directly reducing material usage and production cost while maintaining or improving stacking capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The corner structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural strength to the container, enables nesting support for stacking, and eliminates the need for separate satellite rings and ribs. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall structure, addressing both cost and stacking capacity concerns.
2Ease of operation
If satellite rings are used to facilitate stacking, then stacking is enabled, but stacking capacity is decreased and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes satellite rings from the design, demonstrating that they are not necessary for achieving effective stacking. The corner structure alone provides sufficient nesting support, allowing containers to be stacked efficiently without these additional components, thereby maintaining stacking capability while increasing stacking capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The corner structure is designed to self-provide nesting support without requiring external satellite rings. The geometry and configuration of the corners enable containers to nest into each other naturally, making the system self-sufficient for stacking operations and eliminating the need for separate stacking facilitation components.
3Strength
If satellite rings and ribs are used, then structural support is provided, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes ribs and satellite rings that added production cost without providing proportional structural benefit. The corner structure is optimized to provide the necessary structural support through its geometry and material distribution, eliminating the need for additional reinforcing elements and reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies material and structural reinforcement specifically at the corners where it is most needed for both structural strength and nesting support. This localized approach provides maximum structural benefit with minimum material usage, avoiding the need for universal reinforcement through satellite rings and ribs that would increase production cost across the entire container.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to containers. In at least one embodiment, the disclosed containers include a nestable structure that can facilitate stacking while limiting reliance on satellite rings. For example, in certain embodiments, a container includes a nestable corner structure with a series of nestable portions. Thus, in these embodiments, more containers can be stacked together in a smaller space, such that shipping and manufacturing processes are more efficient and less costly than with traditional containers.