Stackable Nestable Box With Self-Centering Guide Teeth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stackable and nestable containers require precise positioning to avoid collapse and are not easily accessible, with potential for accidental dropping during extraction, and are limited in compatibility with differently designed containers.
Innovation Solution
The container design includes guide teeth and surfaces for self-centering and locking mechanisms, allowing easy stacking and nesting, and features like retaining teeth and recesses for stability and compatibility with similar and differently sized containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If precise positioning is required to match teeth with housings, then stacking stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The container design enables self-centering through the interaction between guide surfaces and guide teeth. When one container is placed on another, the guide teeth automatically engage with the guide surfaces and align the containers horizontally, eliminating the need for manual positioning adjustments by the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide surfaces and guide teeth are pre-configured in specific positions on the container walls. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when containers are stacked, the alignment mechanism is already in place to automatically guide proper positioning, preventing collapse without requiring operator attention.
2Reliability
If locking mechanisms are added to prevent sliding, then stacking stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide surfaces and guide teeth serve dual functions: they guide the horizontal alignment of stacked containers and simultaneously provide locking action to prevent sliding. This merging of guidance and locking functions into a single integrated structure avoids adding separate complex locking mechanisms.
3Reliability
If containers are designed for stable stacking, then accessibility to intermediate containers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The front and rear panels are designed with different heights, creating asymmetric local qualities. The shorter front panel provides easy access to intermediate containers, while the taller rear panel maintains stacking stability. This local differentiation allows both accessibility and stability requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.
4Reliability
If containers are designed for a specific stacking configuration, then compatibility with identical containers is improved, but adaptability to differently sized containers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide surfaces and guide teeth are designed with dimensions and positions that can accommodate containers of different sizes. The asymmetric design with shorter front panels and taller rear panels creates a universal interface that works with various container dimensions, allowing different sized containers to be stacked in the same configuration pattern.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a stackable, nestable or both stackable and nestable box composed of a front panel, a rear panel and two side panels. The side panels each have a side rest surface comprising at least one guide tooth configured to realise a side centring of an upper box during the realisation of a stacking configuration. There is also preferably provided a retaining tooth capable of preventing sliding, along the front and rear panels, between two stacked boxes. There is also preferably provided a rear panel comprising a step for providing a vertical support of an upper box when stacked. Preferably, there is provided a locking tooth capable of preventing a sliding, along the side panels, between two stacked boxes.