Open Container Lateral Offset Side Wall Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing open containers lack optimal stackability and stability when combined to form a closed container, often resulting in lateral slipping and jamming under load, due to inadequate interlocking mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The open container design features laterally offset side wall sections that overlap to form a double side wall when combined with another identical container, providing enhanced stability and preventing slipping, with optional features like recesses and hinges for reduced weight and improved visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If simple interlocking projections and recesses are used to connect containers, then the container structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the stackability and stability are insufficient, causing lateral slipping and jamming under load
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls are divided into multiple side wall sections (first, second, third, fourth sections) that are laterally offset from each other. This segmentation allows each section to independently interlock with corresponding sections of the inverted container, distributing the interlocking function across multiple points rather than relying on a single projection-recess mechanism, thereby improving stackability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The laterally offset side wall sections are designed to nest within each other when containers are inverted and stacked. The first side wall section of one container nests with the second side wall section of the inverted container, creating a nested interlocking pattern that prevents lateral slipping and enhances stability under stacking loads
2Stability of the object's composition
If laterally offset side wall sections are used to form double side walls, then stability and anti-buckling performance are improved, but the container structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls feature asymmetric lateral offsets where the first, second, third, and fourth side wall sections are positioned at different lateral distances from a reference plane. This asymmetric arrangement creates complementary interlocking profiles between the container and its inverted counterpart, enabling stable double wall formation without requiring complex symmetric mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The laterally offset side wall sections of the container merge with the corresponding sections of the inverted container to form integrated double side walls. This merging combines the structural elements of both containers into a unified stable structure, where the outer and inner wall sections work together to resist buckling and lateral forces
3Ease of operation
If the container is designed as open for goods presentation, then visibility and accessibility are improved, but protection and stability under load are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The container design allows dynamic reconfiguration between open and closed states. When stacked with an inverted container, the open containers form a closed structure that provides protection while maintaining the inherent visibility advantages of the open design. The lateral offsets and interlocking sections enable this dynamic transition, allowing the same structure to serve both presentation and protection functions
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
An open container (1), in particular a plastic container, for transporting and presenting goods, comprising a base (2), a rear wall (6) projecting from the base (2), two opposing side walls (4) projecting from the base (2), and an end wall (8) with a cutout or a completely open end. The open container (1) can be completed with another identical container (101) placed upside down to form a closed container (201). The side walls (4) have several, in particular trapezoidal or crenellated, side wall sections (10, 12, 14, 16) which are offset laterally or in the transverse direction of the wall and overlap and are joined together with corresponding side wall sections (110, 112, 114, 116) of the identical container (101) placed upside down, preferably over the entire height of the side wall sections (10, 12, 14, 16).