Plastic-Reinforced IBC Pallet Structure for Lower Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IBCs for transporting liquids and dangerous goods face stability issues due to high load forces, necessitating metal reinforcements that increase weight and complicate recycling, while conventional IBCs with plastic and metal parts are cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A plastic pallet body with integrated plastic reinforcing strips and a metal mesh cage, supporting a dimensionally stable inner container, which replaces metal reinforcements, ensuring stability and ease of recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal reinforcements (steel struts and steel profiles) are used to reinforce the pallet, then the stability and load-bearing capacity are improved, but the weight increases and recyclability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal (steel) to plastic for the reinforcing elements. The reinforcing strips are made of plastic material that can be integrated into the pallet structure, providing the necessary strength while significantly reducing weight compared to traditional steel reinforcements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction by integrating plastic reinforcing strips into a plastic pallet body. This composite approach combines the strength benefits of reinforcement with the weight advantages of plastic material, creating a lightweight yet stable pallet structure suitable for IBC containers.
2Strength
If metal reinforcements are integrated into the plastic pallet, then the stability is improved, but the recyclability deteriorates due to material separation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by using the same material (plastic) for both the pallet body and the reinforcing strips. This uniform material composition eliminates the need for separation processes during recycling, as the entire structure can be processed together, significantly improving recyclability while maintaining structural integrity.
3Weight of moving object
If conventional plastic pallets are used without metal reinforcement, then the weight is reduced and recyclability is improved, but the stability and load-bearing capacity become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding reinforcing strips only at specific locations within the pallet structure where additional strength is needed. Rather than using uniform thick walls or metal reinforcement throughout, the reinforcing strips are strategically placed to provide localized support, maintaining stability while minimizing weight and material usage.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an Intermediate Bulk Container combination (IBC combination) comprising a pallet (20), which has a plastic pallet body (25) and a mesh cage attached to the pallet (20), in particular a metal tubular mesh cage (30), wherein an inner container (35) made of dimensionally stable plastic or flexible material is mounted in the mesh cage (30) and the IBC optionally has a corner and/or edge protection, and the pallet (20) has at least one plastic reinforcing strip (80). The invention also relates to a method for producing such an IBC (10).