Stackable Bulk Container Stability via Stretch Wrap and Planar Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for packaging particulate materials in flexible containers fail to adequately limit movement between articles, leading to potential damage and instability during transport.

Innovation Solution

A stackable bulk transport container is created by filling a flexible container with particulate material, wrapping it with stretch wrap, and using a planar member to flatten and expand the top portion, allowing a second container to be placed on top, which compresses and stabilizes the first container through hoop forces and frictional forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If flexible containers are filled with particulate material without additional stabilization, then the container is simple to manufacture and transport, but the articles inside move excessively causing damage and the container fails to maintain a rigid shape

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of articles in containerVSAvoidcontainer structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses stretch wrap (a flexible film) to wrap around the flexible container filled with particulate material. This flexible film provides stabilization and limits article movement without requiring a completely rigid container structure, thus maintaining relative simplicity while improving stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The stretch wrap is applied to the container before stacking, pre-compressing the particulate material and creating initial stability. This preliminary action prevents excessive movement during subsequent stacking and transport operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple flexible containers are stacked without stabilization measures, then stacking is simple and efficient, but the stacked containers are unstable and containers may shift or collapse

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of stacked containersVSAvoidstacking process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The stretch wrap creates a tighter, more stable outer shell around each container, enabling stable stacking. The compressed and expanded top portions created by the stretch wrap provide stable stacking surfaces, allowing multiple containers to be stacked securely without complex additional structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the container top portion by compressing and expanding it with stretch wrap. This creates a flatter, more stable top surface that enhances stacking stability while maintaining the overall simplicity of the stacking process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If stretch wrap is applied to compress and expand the top portion of the container, then stacking stability is enhanced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestacking stabilityVSAvoidwrapping process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stretch wrap process, while adding a step, uses a relatively simple flexible film application process rather than complex mechanical structures. The wrap is applied to compress the top portion and create an expanded, stable configuration that enhances stacking without requiring elaborate equipment or procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enhances the stability and rigidity of the stacked containers, providing increased resistance to movement and maintaining a relatively rigid shape during transport, while allowing for efficient stacking and reduced damage to the contents.

Implementation Method 1

the stretch wrap is applied substantially at the fill level as the fill level rises... the stretch wrap can substantially limit the movement of articles in the container with respect to one another

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHoop forces: Tension

Implementation Method 2

the planar member flattens and expands the top portion of the first bulk container to enhance the stability of the stackable bulk transport container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrictional forces: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS7536840B2Stackable bulk transport container

Publication Date: 2009.05.26 KELLANOVA

AI summary

The invention provides a stackable bulk transport container. The stackable bulk transport container includes a first bulk container that includes a flexible container filled with particulate material and wrapped in stretch wrap. The flexible container of the first bulk container is wrapped such that the stretch wrap is applied substantially at the fill level as the fill level rises. The stackable bulk transport container also includes a planar member positioned on the first bulk container. The planar member defines a substantially planar surface that engages the first bulk container. The stackable bulk transport container also includes a second bulk container positioned on the planar member. When the second bulk container is positioned on the planar member, the planar member flattens and expands the top portion of the first bulk container to enhance the stability of the stackable bulk transport container.