Stackable Container Anti-Rotation Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stackable containers with anti-rotation features often have high stacking heights and weights, leading to increased transport costs and ecological concerns due to material usage, and present challenges in precise labeling and filling processes due to varying orientations.
Innovation Solution
The design features first anti-rotation means on the upper side of the container latching edge and second anti-rotation means on the apron, which interact to prevent twisting, allowing for a lower stacking height and weight while maintaining stability and enabling precise labeling, with the anti-rotation means being strategically positioned to minimize visual impact and facilitate easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If anti-rotation means are provided on the upper side of the container apron to prevent twisting, then anti-twist protection is achieved, but the stacking height increases and container weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention moves the first anti-rotation means from the horizontal apron surface to the vertical latching edge, changing the spatial dimension where anti-twist protection is provided. This allows the anti-rotation features to engage at the container's upper edge rather than requiring a tall apron, thus reducing stacking height while maintaining anti-twist functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-rotation system is divided into two separate components: first anti-rotation means on the latching edge and second anti-rotation means on the apron. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the latching edge features providing the primary anti-twist function at minimal height addition.
2Reliability
If anti-rotation means are provided on the upper side of the container apron to prevent twisting, then anti-twist protection is achieved, but the container weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
By relocating the primary anti-rotation features to the latching edge, the invention eliminates the need for a tall apron structure, thereby reducing the amount of material required and lowering container weight while maintaining anti-twist protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-rotation functionality is concentrated at the critical latching edge region where it is most needed for preventing twisting during stacking, rather than distributing weight through the entire apron structure. This localized approach minimizes material usage.
3Length of stationary object
If the apron height is reduced to lower stacking height, then transport efficiency improves, but the anti-twist protection may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention compensates for reduced apron height by providing anti-rotation means on the vertical latching edge, transferring the anti-twist function to a different spatial location that does not increase overall stacking height.
Solution Approach 2:
The first anti-rotation means are positioned at the very top of the container on the latching edge, providing anti-twist protection at the point where containers make contact during stacking, before any potential twisting can occur. This preliminary positioning ensures stability despite shorter aprons.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a stackable container comprising: a side wall (2); an upper container edge (3) and container interior; and also a container base (4) and a container cross-section that tapers towards the base (4), such that identical containers (1) can be stacked by the engagement of the container base (4) of a first container in a second container, the container (1), in the region of the container upper edge (2), having an engagement edge (5) running all around for interlocking connection to a lid (20), and the container engagement edge (5) being moulded onto the side wall (2), and the side wall (2) being provided with a container skirt (6) that runs at least substantially all around said wall and projects radially outwards from the latter (2) and that has portions (7, 8) that are substantially perpendicular to the container main axis (H) and substantially parallel to the container main axis (H) respectively, the skirt (6) being moulded to the container side wall (2) below the engagement edge (5), and the container (1) also having co-operating first and second anti-rotation means (9, 10) which co-operate to prevent rotation of the containers when the latter are stacked one inside the other. According to the invention, the first anti-rotation means (9) are provided on the upper face (5a) of the container engagement edge (5), facing away from the container base (4). In addition, the container (1) can be designed (optionally also without anti-rotation means) such that when identical containers are directly stacked one inside the other, the lower edge (6a) of the skirt (6) of the upper container lies above the skirt (6) of the lower container (1) immediately underneath in the container stack.