Stackable Tray With Recessed Walls And Nested Corners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing low depth trays for storing and transporting beverage containers are inadequate in providing a stable and efficient stacking configuration due to weak corner structures and a large footprint, which compromises the stability and space utilization.
Innovation Solution
A stackable tray design featuring taller interior columns, recessed dividers and walls to reduce the footprint, and reinforced corner walls with openings for nesting, allowing for stable stacking and accommodating various bottle sizes while maintaining a compact form.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If corner walls are made taller to provide stable stacking, then stacking stability is improved, but the overall footprint and complexity of the tray increases
Solution Approach 1:
The corner walls are designed with openings that allow the corner portion of one tray to nest into the corner wall of another tray during stacking. This nesting mechanism provides stable stacking while minimizing the overall footprint by allowing trays to fit closely together vertically.
Solution Approach 2:
Only the corner walls are made taller than the side and end walls, creating localized structural reinforcement at the corners where stacking stability is most needed. This local enhancement provides stability without requiring the entire tray structure to be taller, thus minimizing footprint increase.
2Stability of the object's composition
If corner walls are reinforced with openings for nesting, then stacking stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The openings in the corner walls are designed to receive the corner portion of nested trays, creating a simple interlocking mechanism that enhances stacking stability without requiring complex manufacturing processes. The openings can be formed using standard molding techniques.
3Area of stationary object
If dividers and walls include recesses to reduce footprint, then space efficiency is improved, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Recesses are added only to the uppermost edges of dividers and walls where they are least critical for structural strength, while maintaining adequate wall thickness and reinforcement at corners and load-bearing points. This localized modification reduces footprint without significantly compromising overall structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A tray for containers, such as beverage bottles, includes a base and a plurality of interior columns extending upwardly from the base. A plurality of columns extend upwardly along at least a portion of the periphery of the tray. Side walls extend along the sides of the tray and end walls extend along the ends of the tray, the end walls connected to the side walls by corner walls. The corner walls protrude upwardly higher than the side walls and end walls and include an opening at a lower edge thereof for receiving a corner portion of an identical tray nested therebelow. In another, independent feature, dividers and/or the walls include recesses along uppermost edges to reduce the overall footprint of the tray.