Stackable Storage Containers With Mating Projections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage containers of varying sizes are not efficiently stackable, leading to instability and misalignment when stacked, which can result in movement and potential damage to contents.

Innovation Solution

The design of storage containers with mating projections and recesses on their lids and bases allows for vertical alignment and secure stacking, ensuring that containers of different sizes can be stacked within the footprint of the largest container, with engaging structures that inhibit lateral and longitudinal movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If storage containers of varying sizes are stacked without mating structures, then stacking flexibility is improved, but stacking stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestacking flexibilityVSAvoidstacking stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The container system is divided into multiple size categories (small, medium, large, extra-large) with standardized mating structures. Each container size segment has specific projection and recess configurations that enable compatible stacking across different segments, resolving the contradiction between stacking flexibility and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mating structures (projections and recesses) are designed with universal compatibility across all container sizes. The same basic mating mechanism works for all container combinations, providing both flexibility in arrangement and stability in stacking through a unified interface standard.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If containers are stacked without mating projections and recesses, then container design simplicity is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer design simplicityVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mating structures use asymmetric projections and recesses that provide unique orientation and positioning. This asymmetric design ensures precise alignment when containers are stacked, as the asymmetric features can only mate in the correct orientation, preventing misalignment while maintaining relatively simple container designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Adaptability or versatility

If containers of different sizes are stacked without engaging structures, then stacking versatility is improved, but movement control deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestacking versatilityVSAvoidmovement control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mating projections and recesses are pre-configured on containers during manufacturing to engage automatically when containers are stacked. This preliminary action of pre-positioning the mating features ensures that movement control is built into the stacking mechanism itself, providing reliability while maintaining versatility in stacking arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250108958A1Stackable storage containers

Publication Date: 2025.04.03 AOB PRODUCTS CO

AI summary

A stackable container system and associated components and methods. The stackable container system includes a variety of containers arrangeable in different stacked arrangements. The containers include mating structure configured to enable nesting of the containers in various stacked arrangements. The mating structure is configured to facilitate nesting of containers of different sizes on top of each other.