Stackable Nestable Containers With Pivoting Brackets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container systems face challenges in stacking smaller containers on top of larger ones and vice versa without compromising stability, as existing solutions require significant modifications to the shape of the smaller containers or result in instability due to protruding stacking beams.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring an essentially rectangular base with outwardly inclined second side walls and movably attached stacking beams that can pivot between nesting and stacking positions, allowing for increased base area without altering the wall inclination or adding special feet, and incorporating bulges and recesses for enhanced stability and compatibility with different container types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If stacking beams are positioned to extend far from the edge to support a larger container, then the larger container can be stacked on smaller containers, but the smaller containers become unstable when identical smaller containers are stacked on top of each other
Solution Approach 1:
The container system is divided into two distinct types: larger containers with outwardly inclined side walls and smaller containers with vertically extending side walls. Each type has optimized stacking characteristics, allowing the system to achieve both cross-size stacking compatibility and stability within size groups through segmentation of container geometries
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the container system have different structural qualities: larger containers feature outwardly inclined side walls to provide stable bases for stacking, while smaller containers have vertically extending side walls to maintain stability when stacked on identical smaller containers. This local differentiation of structural properties resolves the contradiction between adaptability and stability
2Volume of moving object
If stacking brackets are located close to the side walls to avoid protruding into the container interior, then container interior space is maximized, but the base width of the large container may be less than the distance between stacking brackets preventing stacking
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments containers into larger and smaller types with different geometric configurations. Larger containers have outwardly inclined side walls that create sufficient base width for stacking, while smaller containers have vertically extending walls with stacking beams positioned to support larger containers. This segmentation allows both interior space optimization and stacking capability to be achieved in their respective container types
Solution Approach 2:
The container system employs asymmetric designs where larger containers have outwardly inclined side walls creating a wider base, while smaller containers have vertically extending walls. This asymmetry in geometric configuration between the two container types enables the larger containers to have sufficient base width for stacking while smaller containers maintain compact dimensions for maximizing interior space
3Adaptability or versatility
If wall inclination is increased to enable nesting of containers, then nesting capability is improved, but the overall height of nested containers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container system segments nesting functionality into the larger container type, which has outwardly inclined side walls optimized for nesting smaller containers. The smaller containers maintain vertically extending walls for stable stacking. This segmentation allows nesting capability to be achieved in the larger container type without requiring all containers to have increased wall inclination, thereby controlling overall height
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 design enables stable stacking and nesting of containers of varying sizes without increasing wall inclination or modifying the smaller containers, improving structural stability and usability in a flexible container system.
Implementation Method 1
two stacking beams (24), running essentially parallel to the first side walls (6), which are movably attached to upper edges of the second side walls (8)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A container (2) according to the invention has a base (4), two opposing first side walls (6), and two opposing second side walls (8). The side walls (6, 8) extend upwards from the base (4) and together form a perimeter (10) which encloses a container opening (12) located above the base (4). The perimeter (10) widens towards the container opening (12) so that the container (2) can be nested inside another identical container (2). To enable the container (2) to be stacked on top of another identical container (2), two stacking brackets (22) are movably attached to the upper edge regions of the second side walls (6). In a nesting position, these brackets expose the container opening (12), and in a stacking position, they are at least partially positioned above the container opening (12).The second side walls (8) have bulges (14) which extend in a channel-like manner from the base (4) to the upper edge of the respective second side wall (8). Furthermore, a corresponding container system is the subject of the application.