Nestainer Cable Closure With Magnetic Latch Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nestainer closure systems, such as elastic bands and rotating gates, pose safety risks due to potential injuries from snapping bands or pinch points from rotating bars.

Innovation Solution

A nestainer closure system utilizing a cable closure assembly with a magnetic latch retainer, where a flexible cable with a fixed end and a latch end is used to securely close the loading opening, and a magnetic latch retainer ensures the latch remains secured without risk of injury.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If elastic bands or bungee cords are used to close the loading opening, then the closure can be quick and convenient, but they can cause serious injury if not secured or when they come loose due to stored energy snapping back

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequick and convenient closureVSAvoidinjury risk from snapping back

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the hazardous elastic band component entirely from the closure system and replaces it with a cable and magnetic latch mechanism. This extraction eliminates the stored energy snapping back problem while maintaining the quick closure capability through the magnetic attraction force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the elastic mechanical energy storage system with a magnetic field-based retention system. The magnetic latch retainer uses magnetic attraction to hold the cable in place, eliminating the need for elastic bands and their associated safety hazards while achieving the same closure function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If rotating or pivoting gates are used to close the loading opening, then the opening can be closed securely, but the rotating rigid bar can create a pinch point along a support of the nestainer causing injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure closureVSAvoidinjury risk from pinch points

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the rotating gate mechanism entirely and replaces it with a flexible cable system that spans the loading opening. This extraction eliminates the rigid rotating bar and its associated pinch point hazards while maintaining secure closure through the cable tension and magnetic latch retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a flexible cable instead of a rigid rotating bar to achieve closure. The flexible cable can be easily manipulated into position and secured by the magnetic latch, providing secure closure without creating pinch points along supports.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If rotating or pivoting gates are used to close the loading opening, then the opening can be closed securely, but the rigid bar can swing down and hit a person causing injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure closureVSAvoidinjury risk from swinging bar

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the heavy rigid rotating bar from the closure system and replaces it with a flexible cable that is retained by a magnetic latch. This extraction eliminates the swinging hazard while maintaining secure closure through the cable tension and magnetic retention force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical rotating gate system with a magnetic retention system. The magnetic latch retainer holds the cable in place without requiring rotation or pivoting, eliminating the swinging hazard while achieving secure closure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system allows for quick and safe closure and opening of the nestainer loading opening, eliminating the risk of injury from loose or snapping components and ensuring secure transport of items.

Implementation Method 1

A magnetic latch retainer includes a magnet and a latch retainer extension that extends out from the magnet, such as from the center of a ring magnet, for receiving the latch thereon. The magnet secures the latch in place

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS12312125B1Nestainer closure system

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 SHIPLEY DAVID

AI summary

A nestainer closure assembly includes a cable closure assembly, a magnetic latch retainer and cable attachments. A cable closure assembly includes a cable fixed to a support of a nestainer and a latch end having a latch thereon for detachable attachment to a cable attachment that is attached to a support located on an opposing side of the loading opening. The cable extends across the loading opening from the fixed end to the latch end latched in a closed configuration. When in an open configuration, the latch end and latch of the cable closure assembly is detachably attached to a magnetic latch retainer configured on the same side of the loading opening as the fixed end. A magnetic latch retainer includes a magnet and a latch retainer extension that extends out from the magnet, such as from the center of a ring magnet, for receiving the latch thereon.