System and method for optimized shelf product shipping, storage, and display onsite

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Solution Overview

Problem

Shelving products face inefficiencies in shipping and storage due to wasted space and unstable configurations on standard pallets, leading to damage during transport and storage.

Innovation Solution

The system involves arranging unassembled shelf assemblies on standard pallets in a way that maximizes space utilization, ensuring each assembly is fully contained within the pallet's perimeter, with vertical stacking and strategic placement to prevent overhang and damage, using standardized pallet dimensions and incorporating shelf components within cavities to secure and protect the products.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If shelving products are shipped in bulk on large pallets using heavy machinery, then shipping efficiency is improved, but space utilization deteriorates due to wasted space and unstable configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshipping efficiencyVSAvoidspace utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The shelving products are divided into modular components (shelves, beams, uprights) that can be efficiently packed and stacked on pallets. This segmentation allows for optimized space utilization while maintaining stability during transport, resolving the contradiction between shipping efficiency and space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Smaller shelving components are nested within and around larger structural elements on the pallet. This nesting arrangement maximizes the use of available pallet space while creating a stable, interlocked configuration that prevents shifting during transport, thereby improving both space utilization and shipping efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Area of stationary object

If shelving products are stacked to maximize pallet space, then space utilization is improved, but stability deteriorates leading to unsafe configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepallet space utilizationVSAvoidstacking stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The shelving components are pre-arranged in stable configurations before being placed on the pallet. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the stacking pattern inherently provides stability while maximizing space utilization, preventing the need for unstable high stacks that would compromise safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple different shelving components (beams, shelves, uprights, fasteners) are combined in a composite stacking arrangement that creates mutual support and stability. This composite configuration allows for dense packing while maintaining structural integrity throughout the stack, resolving the contradiction between space utilization and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If shelving products are arranged to optimize storage space, then storage efficiency is improved, but product protection deteriorates due to damage from shifting and impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoidproduct damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Protective materials and positioning techniques are applied beforehand during the packing process to prevent damage. Components are cushioned and positioned to eliminate movement potential before shipping begins, addressing both storage efficiency and damage prevention by designing the packing arrangement to be inherently secure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The packing arrangement is designed to counteract potential shifting and impact forces before they can cause damage. By creating an interlocked, stable configuration that resists movement from the outset, the system prevents the harmful effects of shifting and impact while maintaining efficient space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS20240245233A1System and method for optimized shelf product shipping, storage, and display onsite

Publication Date: 2024.07.25 CREATIVE PLASTIC CONCEPTS LLC

AI summary

A system and method are provided for optimized shelf product shipping, storage, and display utilizing a pallet and one or more unassembled shelf assemblies designed for compact arrangement on the pallet. The system includes a standard size pallet and a plurality of unassembled shelf assemblies. Multiple unassembled shelf assemblies comprising shelf bodies and shelf components are stacked vertically and arranged in a compact configuration fully within a perimeter of the pallet and without overhang. The shelf components are housed in cavities formed between adjacent shelf bodies. Accordingly, the unassembled shelf assemblies consolidate into high-density vertical stacks with minimal wasted space and without loose parts. This enables efficient transportation while reducing risks including loss of or damage to the shelf bodies and shelf components. The system provides efficient, cost-effective, and safe shipping, storage, and display of unassembled shelf assemblies by maximizing the number of unassembled shelf assemblies fit on the pallet.