Reinforcing Support Assemblies for Sheet Material Containers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers made from sheet material lack sufficient stacking strength and structural rigidity, leading to potential collapse during shipment, which can damage goods, and current methods to enhance strength increase material costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A container assembly with a reinforcing support assembly positioned within the container, comprising a back panel assembly coupled to the inner surface of the container and an extension assembly that extends outwardly from the back panel, providing increased stacking strength and rigidity while using less material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the thickness of the sheet material is increased to increase stacking strength, then the stacking strength is improved, but the expense and complexity of forming the container increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into functional components: the container body formed from sheet material and separate support assemblies positioned within the container. The support assemblies are segmented into back panels coupled to end walls and extension panels extending toward opposite end walls, creating a distributed reinforcement system that provides stacking strength without increasing material thickness or formation complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Support assemblies act as intermediary elements between the container walls and the stacked containers above. These assemblies include back panels coupled to end walls and extension panels that span across the container interior, providing structural mediation that distributes loads and enhances stacking strength without requiring thicker container material
2Strength
If the number of sides of the container is increased to increase stacking strength, then the stacking strength is improved, but the material usage and fabrication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement function is segmented from the container body and implemented through separate support assemblies. These assemblies are positioned within the container and include back panels coupled to end walls and extension panels that provide structural reinforcement without requiring the container itself to have increased side complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The support assemblies serve multiple functions: they provide stacking strength, reinforce the container structure, and can act as dividers within the container. This multi-functionality allows a single structural element to address multiple requirements without increasing overall complexity
3Strength
If support assemblies are added to increase stacking strength, then the stacking strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support assemblies are segmented into modular components: back panels that couple to end walls and extension panels that extend across the container interior. This segmentation allows for standardized, repeatable units that can be manufactured separately and assembled into the container, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining strength
Solution Approach 2:
The support assemblies utilize parameter optimization in their geometry and material properties. The back panels and extension panels are designed with specific dimensions and coupling mechanisms that maximize structural efficiency, providing high stacking strength with minimal material and simplified construction
Data Source
AI summary
A container assembly is provided. The container assembly includes a container formed from a first blank of sheet material. The container includes a bottom wall and a plurality of sides extending upwardly from the bottom wall such for defining a cavity therein. Each side includes an inner surface that extends between a bottom edge positioned between the bottom wall and a top edge. Each inner surface includes a height that is measured between the top edge and the bottom edge. At least one support assembly formed from a second blank of sheet material is positioned within the cavity. The support assembly includes a back panel assembly that is coupled to the inner surface of one of the plurality of sides. An extension assembly extends outwardly from the back panel assembly.