Pivoting Support Member for Container Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container designs lack efficient mechanisms for stacking and securing containers, particularly in storage and transportation, as they often require cumbersome arrangements or additional support structures, and lids often require full container rotation for access.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates pivotally attached support members that can extend across the container to support stacked containers and a lid mounting system allowing for easy access without rotating the container, utilizing hinges and resilient securing members for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If support members are provided to enable stacking of containers, then stacking efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional pivot mechanisms and hinge components
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are designed to be movable between a support position (extending across the load receiving space to support stacked containers) and a non-support position (retracted along the walls). This dynamic configuration allows the stacking function to be activated only when needed, reducing the perceived complexity during normal operation while maintaining stacking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members are divided into distinct functional segments: the planar support surface portion and the attachment portion with hinge members. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall mechanism by separating the support function from the attachment function.
2Ease of operation
If lids are mounted on all four sides for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional pivot formations
Solution Approach 1:
The lid mounting system uses asymmetric pivot formations located only on the opposite first walls (longer sides) of the container, rather than symmetric mounting on all four sides. This asymmetric arrangement provides practical ease of access while reducing the number of pivot formations needed, thereby lowering device complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If support members extend fully across the load receiving space, then stacking stability is improved, but volume of the container is reduced due to space occupied by support members
Solution Approach 1:
The support members dynamically extend across the load receiving space only when in the support position for stacking. When retracted to the non-support position along the walls, they occupy minimal space, thereby maximizing the load receiving volume while maintaining stacking stability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members extend partially across the load receiving space (not fully spanning it) when in the support position. This partial extension provides sufficient stacking stability while minimizing the volume occupied by the support members, thus preserving maximum load receiving space.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enables efficient stacking and secure storage of containers while allowing easy access to contents without rotating the container, reducing handling difficulties and optimizing space usage.
Implementation Method 1
The hinge member may be received in the channel. The receipt of the hinge member in the channel may allow the support member to pivot between the support and non-support positions.
Data Source
AI summary
A container (10) comprising a wall arrangement (12) defining a load receiving space (16), and a support member (14) attached on the wall arrangement (12), the support member (14) being movable between a support position and a non-support position, wherein, in the support position, the support member (14) extends at least partially across the load receiving space (16), the support member having a planar portion (30) to support a further container (10) in a stacked condition on the container (10).