Sliding Support Assemblies for Ergonomic Container Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container designs for shipping products are ergonomically unfriendly, causing strain and injury to line workers due to difficult access and movement requirements, and often incur additional costs from sewing and rollers that can fail due to wear.

Innovation Solution

A container with movable dunnage supported by track assemblies and support assemblies that allow for slidable inner and outer members, reducing the need for sewing and rollers, enabling easier access and increased storage capacity without compromising structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If containers are designed with fixed dunnage and support structures, then structural integrity is maintained, but worker access and removal of parts becomes difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveWorker access to partsVSAvoidContainer structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the dunnage and support structures movable rather than fixed. The support assemblies can slide along the container length, and the dunnage can be repositioned, allowing workers to easily access parts from any location in the container while maintaining structural integrity through the track and support assembly system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the container interior into modular support assemblies that can be independently moved and positioned. Each support assembly with its track and dunnage components can be separately adjusted, allowing flexible reconfiguration to accommodate different part sizes and worker access requirements without compromising overall structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If containers are made longer to allow workers to access parts from the rear, then access is improved, but the number of parts that can be shipped is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveWorker access to partsVSAvoidNumber of parts shipped

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of increasing container length, the patent uses dynamic support assemblies that can move along the container length. This allows workers to access parts from the rear without requiring the container to be longer, thereby maintaining the ability to ship more parts while improving worker access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The track assemblies and support assemblies act as intermediaries between the worker and the parts. These movable supports allow the worker to reach parts at the rear of the container without needing to physically move to the rear themselves, eliminating the need for longer container lengths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If rollers or end members are used to move dunnage, then ease of movement is improved, but reliability decreases due to fatigue and wear

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDunnage movementVSAvoidSupport structure reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses simple, robust track assemblies and support structures that can be easily replaced if worn, rather than relying on complex roller mechanisms. The tracks are secured to the container and the support assemblies slide along them, providing a reliable system that is simpler and more durable than roller-based systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical roller system with a sliding support assembly system that uses tracks and direct contact surfaces. This substitution eliminates the rollers that are prone to fatigue and wear, providing a more reliable mechanical system for moving dunnage while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Quantity of substance

If multiple layers of dunnage are used to increase storage capacity, then quantity of parts stored is improved, but worker strain increases due to bending and leaning

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveStorage capacityVSAvoidWorker strain and injury

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the dunnage and support assemblies movable, allowing workers to easily access and move parts in multiple layers without having to bend or lean. The support assemblies can be repositioned to bring parts at different levels within easy reach, enabling workers to handle multiple layers without increasing physical strain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable support assemblies act as intermediaries that allow workers to access parts in multiple layers without direct physical strain. The tracks and support structures enable easy movement and positioning of dunnage, allowing workers to reach parts at various levels without bending or leaning, thus preventing strain and injury while maintaining high storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9567156B2Container having sliding support assemblies for supporting dunnage

Publication Date: 2017.02.14 BRADFORD CO

AI summary

A container for holding product therein during shipment and being returned for reuse has a body, track assemblies attached to opposite sides of the body, and a plurality of support assemblies extending between the track assemblies. Outer members of the support assemblies have notches which enable the support assemblies to slide along the track assemblies to move parts supported by dunnage suspended by the support assemblies.