Nesting Storage Container with Standoff and Handle Offset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage containers face challenges in efficient nesting and de-nesting due to vacuum formation and 'sticking' issues, which limits their stacking capacity and separability.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a standoff structure and handle offset features within the container, such as internal stand-offs and concave handle offsets, facilitates de-nesting by creating a threshold separation and preventing vacuum formation, allowing for more efficient stacking and nesting of containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If containers are nested tightly to maximize stacking capacity, then space utilization is improved, but vacuum formation causes containers to stick together and become difficult to separate
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple segments: an outer container and an inner container with a cavity. This segmentation allows the inner container to be positioned within the outer container while maintaining separation through the cavity, preventing vacuum formation while enabling tight nesting for maximum stacking capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
A cavity or air gap acts as an intermediary space between the inner and outer containers. This intermediary prevents direct contact between the containers, eliminating vacuum formation and sticking issues while allowing the containers to be nested closely for efficient space utilization.
2Ease of operation
If standoff structures are added to prevent vacuum formation, then separability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The standoff structure is merged with the container walls themselves rather than being a separate component. The outer container walls and inner container cavity work together as an integrated standoff system, preventing vacuum formation without adding external complexity to the container design.
Solution Approach 2:
The container walls serve multiple functions: they provide structural containment and simultaneously act as standoff structures through the integrated cavity design. This multi-functionality prevents vacuum formation without requiring additional specialized components, maintaining design simplicity.
3Productivity
If internal cavity is reduced to increase nesting efficiency, then stacking capacity is improved, but vacuum prevention capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The parameters of the internal cavity are optimized to maintain the minimum necessary volume for vacuum prevention while maximizing nesting efficiency. By carefully controlling the cavity dimensions and positioning, the design achieves both goals: preventing vacuum formation and enabling efficient nesting.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity is strategically positioned and sized at critical locations where vacuum formation would occur, rather than uniformly distributing volume throughout the container. This localized approach to quality control ensures vacuum prevention where needed while minimizing overall cavity volume to maximize nesting efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a nesting storage container comprising: a plurality of upright walls surrounding an internal cavity; at least one de-nesting feature in the internal cavity, said de-nesting feature comprising an offset height with respect to a bottom surface of the internal cavity; and at least one handle having a concave handle offset oriented along a vertical axis of at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of upright walls.