Plastic Display Pallet Edge with Material Taper for Side Wall Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display pallets inadequately fix side walls, especially during unloading or when not fully loaded, leading to instability and potential product damage.

Innovation Solution

A flat, reusable storage and/or transport device made of plastic with a receiving section and material taper, allowing for secure and non-slip attachment of detachable side walls, which can be easily inserted and locked into place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If displays are clamped between the pallet and product, then the display is held in place, but the display can only be inadequately fixed particularly when pallets are unloaded or not sufficiently loaded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoidside wall stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The peripheral edge is segmented into different functional sections: a receiving section for inserting side walls and a material taper section for providing mechanical interlocking. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally - the receiving section provides insertion access while the material taper creates a locking mechanism that maintains stability regardless of load conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing mechanism transitions from a two-dimensional surface contact (clamping between pallet and product) to a three-dimensional interlocking structure. The material taper creates a wedge-shaped engagement that extends into the side wall, providing fixation in multiple spatial dimensions and preventing slippage under varying load conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If side walls are detachably arranged on the reusable storage device, then optional product presentation is enabled, but secure and non-slip attachment is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveside wall attachabilityVSAvoidattachment security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The peripheral edge is divided into a receiving section and a material taper section, allowing the side wall to be inserted through the receiving section while the material taper provides a locking mechanism. This segmentation enables both easy attachment (through insertion) and secure fixation (through the interlocking taper geometry).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The material taper acts as an intermediary element between the receiving section and the side wall. It provides a mechanical interlocking interface that translates the simple insertion action into a secure, non-slip attachment, mediating between the ease of assembly and the reliability of fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If displays are fixed by clamping between pallet and product, then product presentation is achieved, but the fixation is inadequate particularly during unloading

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay assembly simplicityVSAvoidfixation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The peripheral edge structure is segmented into a receiving section for simple insertion and a material taper section for reliable fixation. This allows the display to be easily attached through insertion while the material taper provides inherent fixation reliability without requiring additional clamping mechanisms or products.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The material taper provides self-service fixation by creating a mechanical interlock with the side wall through its wedge geometry. The structure automatically provides reliable fixation upon insertion, without requiring external clamping forces from products or additional fastening operations, making the fixation reliable during both loaded and unloaded states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4570686A1Storage and/or transport device made of plastic for displaying goods, use thereof and associated method
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 PURUS PLASTICS GMBH
  • EP4570686A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4570686A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4570686A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Flat, reusable storage and/or reusable transport device made of plastic (1) for presenting goods, at least comprising a flat carrier element (2) which has a goods carrier upper side (4) and a carrier lower side (6) facing away from it, wherein the goods carrier upper side (4) and the carrier lower side (6) are connected to one another via at least one circumferential edge (8), wherein the circumferential edge (8) has at least one receiving section (10) and wherein the carrier element (2), which adjoins the receiving section (10) on the rear side, has at least one material taper (12).