Rotating Stack Palette Container Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pallet containers with rotary stackability face challenges in orientation identification, especially in adverse lighting conditions or for individuals with limited visual acuity, leading to accidental nesting or stacking issues, which can result in damage to contents.
Innovation Solution
A pallet container design featuring conically or step-wise widening side walls with parallel runners, S-shaped outer edges, and recesses/indentations that allow easy orientation recognition by touch and prevent accidental stacking, along with a bumper system for impact absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If projections and indentations are used to indicate orientation, then rotary stackability is achieved, but the projections differ only imperceptibly making orientation difficult to see in adverse lighting conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by using differently colored projections (e.g., red, yellow, green) on the container body to indicate orientation. This allows operators to easily distinguish the correct orientation even in adverse lighting conditions, resolving the contradiction between achieving rotary stackability and maintaining visible orientation indicators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses asymmetric projection patterns arranged in specific geometric configurations (e.g., triangles, squares, circles) that are visually distinct and easily recognizable. The asymmetric arrangement creates clear visual cues that are difficult to confuse, improving orientation detection while maintaining the rotary stacking function.
2Quantity of substance
If identical pallet containers are nested to reduce transport volume, then empty transport efficiency is improved, but accidental nesting of filled containers can damage contents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded projections that change or differ between container types (filled vs. empty). Filled containers have different projection patterns or colors compared to empty containers, making it visually obvious which containers should be nested and which should not, preventing accidental nesting that could damage contents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces visual intermediaries (color-coded projections and markings) that mediate between the nesting function and the safety requirement. These visual cues act as intermediaries that communicate the correct nesting orientation and prevent mistaken nesting of filled containers, ensuring both volume efficiency and content safety.
3Adaptability or versatility
If side walls widen conically to enable nesting, then rotary stackability is achieved, but handling and orientation recognition become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the conical side wall design with color-coded projections that provide clear orientation indicators. The color changes or variations in projection patterns around the conical body create distinct visual cues that guide handling and orientation recognition, offsetting the potential confusion caused by the conical shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetric projection patterns on the conical side walls that create recognizable orientation indicators. The asymmetric arrangement of projections (e.g., directional arrows, geometric shapes) provides clear handling cues while maintaining the conical nesting geometry, improving ease of operation without compromising nesting capability.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a pallet container (1) with a base (2), side walls (4, 6, 8, 10) which extend conically and/or in steps upwards from the base (2) to a circumferential container rim (12), and skids (17, 19) which allow the forks of a forklift or other industrial truck to engage. The base (2) and the side walls (4, 6, 8, 10) are shaped such that the pallet container (1) can be nested inside an identical pallet container of the same orientation and stacked on top of an identical pallet container that is rotated 180° relative to the pallet container (1) only with respect to a vertical axis. The outer contour of the skids is flush with the outer contour of the side walls (4, 6, 8, 10).