Pallet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pallet designs lack flexibility and efficiency in accommodating various features and displays, particularly in allowing for the connection of multiple quarter pallet displays on a single half pallet, which limits their use in retail environments.
Innovation Solution
The platform incorporates an attachment feature arrangement with inwardly and outwardly-facing projections and recesses along its sidewalls, enabling flexible attachment options and allowing two quarter pallet displays to be connected to a half pallet, mimicking the attachment feature distribution of a quarter pallet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing pallet designs are used, then the structure is simple, but the flexibility and efficiency in accommodating various features and displays is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment feature arrangement is segmented into distinct functional zones: inner slots for concealed attachments, outer recesses for visible attachments, and dividers for structural support. This segmentation allows the pallet to accommodate multiple types of displays and features while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment feature arrangement provides multi-functionality by offering both inner slots and outer recesses that can accommodate different types of projection-engaging features. This universal design enables the same pallet structure to support various display configurations, making it adaptable to different retail needs without requiring multiple specialized pallet designs.
2Productivity
If a single half pallet is used, then storage and transportation efficiency is improved, but the ability to connect multiple quarter pallet displays is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment feature arrangement on the half pallet is designed to be universally compatible with quarter pallet displays. By providing both inner slots and outer recesses positioned to match the connection points of quarter pallet displays, the half pallet can effectively connect and support multiple quarter pallet displays, enabling a single half pallet to serve the purpose of two quarter pallets.
3Adaptability or versatility
If inwardly-facing projections are used for concealed attachment, then design flexibility is improved, but insertion precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inner slot acts as an intermediary structure that guides the projection-engaging feature into the correct position. The slot's geometry provides alignment cues that reduce the precision requirements for manual insertion, while still achieving the desired concealed attachment appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment feature arrangement provides different local qualities: inner slots with tighter tolerances for concealed attachments requiring higher precision, and outer recesses with more generous tolerances for visible attachments. This local differentiation allows the design to optimize for both concealed and visible attachment needs without uniformly increasing precision requirements across the entire pallet.
4Ease of operation
If outwardly-facing projections are used for visible attachment, then insertion ease is improved, but the attachment feature visibility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment feature arrangement provides different local qualities for different attachment needs: outer recesses with outwardly-facing projections for easy, visible attachments, and inner slots with inwardly-facing projections for concealed attachments. This local differentiation allows the design to optimize for both ease of operation and aesthetic considerations in different locations on the same pallet.
Data Source
AI summary
A platform comprising a deck, wherein the deck comprises a product supporting surface for supporting an article thereon. The deck is defined by a plurality of sidewalls which extend from a periphery of the product supporting surface. The platform further comprises an attachment feature arrangement disposed along one or more of the sidewalls. The attachment feature arrangement comprises an inner slot and an outer recess. The inner slot and the outer recess are disposed adjacent one another and separated by a divider. The inner slot comprises one or more inwardly-facing projections, and the outer recess comprises one or more outwardly-facing projections. The projections extend from the divider and are configured to engage a corresponding projection-engaging feature of the article supported by the product supporting surface.