Separable Grid Tank for Waste Container Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing collection tanks for storing containers face challenges in transport flexibility due to a monolithic grid that is difficult to disassemble, leading to bulky and heavy packaging, increased shipping costs, and potential damage during transport.

Innovation Solution

A tank design featuring a grid composed of separable crosspieces that can be easily assembled and disassembled, allowing for compact packaging and shipping, with support elements and slits enabling efficient installation and replacement of parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a monolithic grid is used in the tank, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but the transport flexibility and packaging efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidtransport flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The grid is divided into multiple separable crosspieces that can be independently assembled and disassembled. Each crosspiece can be removed individually from the support elements, allowing the grid to be broken down into smaller components for compact packaging during transport, while maintaining structural integrity when assembled at the destination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the tank is assembled with a monolithic grid, then the structural integrity is improved, but the assembly complexity and skill requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The grid assembly is segmented into individual crosspieces that can be independently installed on support elements. This eliminates the need for complex welding or specialized assembly procedures required for monolithic grids, allowing unskilled personnel to assemble the tank by simply positioning and securing individual crosspieces without requiring welding skills or complex positioning masks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If a monolithic grid is used, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the weight and packaging volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidtank weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The grid is constructed from multiple separate crosspieces rather than a single monolithic structure. This segmentation allows for reduced material usage and lower overall weight while maintaining the necessary structural function. The individual crosspieces can be manufactured separately using simpler processes and assembled at the destination, reducing both weight and packaging volume requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4335781A1A tank for storing containers
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 FAMI
  • EP4335781A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4335781A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4335781A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Tank 1 for storing containers C comprising a box-like body 2, defining a compartment V therein and having an opening 3 above and a bottom 4 below from which a side flank 5 extends, laterally delimiting the compartment V. At least one pair of support elements 6 located near the opening 3 distributed on the side flank 5 and a grid 7, placed abutting on the support element 6, having a plurality of discharge slits 8 adapted to permit the transit of possible liquids and/or debris from the abutting grid 7 to inside the compartment V of the box-like body 2. Said grid 7 is defined by a plurality of crosspieces 9 reversibly connected to the support element 6; each crosspiece belonging to the plurality of crosspieces 9 being singly separable from the support element 6 and from the other crosspieces 9 to enable the dimension volumes of the abutting grid 7 to be reduced when dismantled from the tank 1.