Stackable Container Reinforcement Devices for Compression Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stackable container devices face challenges in mechanical resistance during vertical stacking, particularly with dense products like fruits and vegetables, and have complex assembly processes that are difficult to automate.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates reinforcement devices made of cardboard with parallel flutes, featuring a sidewalk panel connected perpendicularly to the transverse wall, with lateral tabs and a fixing panel that extends vertically, providing enhanced mechanical strength and simplified assembly by allowing easy management of dimensional dispersions and minimizing material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If sidewalks are integrated into the tray board with complex plate assemblies, then stacking support is provided, but the assembly process becomes complex and difficult to automate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking resistanceVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tray is divided into a board and separate reinforcement devices that are inserted into recesses. The reinforcement devices are segmented into a main body portion and sidewalk portions that can be assembled separately, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining stacking strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sidewalk portions are extracted from the traditional integrated board structure and placed on separate reinforcement devices that are inserted into the tray. This separation allows for simpler manufacturing and assembly while providing the necessary stacking support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If traditional plate assemblies with multiple flaps and cuts are used, then centering is facilitated, but the assembly operation becomes tricky to automate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentering precisionVSAvoidassembly automation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement devices are designed as separate insertable components with simple geometric features (recesses and protrusions) that facilitate automated insertion and positioning, replacing the complex multi-flap plate assemblies that are difficult to automate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If reinforcement devices with extended main faces are used, then vertical compression resistance is improved, but material usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevertical compression resistanceVSAvoidmaterial usage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Reinforcement is applied locally only where needed - the reinforcement devices are inserted into recesses at specific locations on the tray board, providing vertical compression resistance at critical points without adding material throughout the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The tray combines the board material with reinforcement device material to create a composite structure that achieves higher strength-to-material-ratio than either component alone, optimizing material usage while improving compression resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP2918506B1Stackable container device
Publication Date: 2017.10.11 SOC NORMANDE DE CARTON ONDULE
  • EP2918506B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2918506B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2918506B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A stackable container device comprising a platform having a horizontal base (12D), two longitudinal walls (12L), and two solid transverse walls (12T). This device includes two transverse walkways oriented horizontally on the inner side of the platform, forming a stacking support with a horizontal upper edge (28) of the platform walls at their corners where the longitudinal and transverse walls meet. Corresponding to each transverse wall (12T), the container device includes a reinforcement device (13) provided, on the one hand, with a section (30) extending at a right angle to the transverse wall (12T), forming the walkway, and on the other hand, with two folded sections (37, 39) for attaching the walkway (30) and stabilizing it horizontally at the level of the upper edge.These folded panels include an intermediate panel (37) extending under the sidewalk and a fixing panel (39) extending vertically and stably from the intermediate panel.