Stackable Tray Side Wall Design for Fast Drying and High Load Capacity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stackable boxes face a trade-off between rapid drying of side walls and high load capacity, with previous designs either limiting load capacity or compromising on drying efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates contact surfaces along side wall sections for stable stacking, with inclined top sides to promote rapid water runoff and drying, and protruding contact surfaces to prevent corner touching, allowing for higher load capacities while maintaining quick drying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the upper surfaces of the side wall sections are inclined at an angle to the stacking direction, then water and liquids run off quickly and drying is promoted, but the load-bearing capacity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying timeVSAvoidload-bearing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The side wall sections are segmented into multiple functional areas: inclined areas for water runoff and contact surfaces for load bearing. This segmentation allows each area to specialize in its function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different areas of the side wall sections have different properties: the inclined areas have a slope for rapid water drainage, while the contact surfaces have a flatter geometry optimized for load distribution and bearing capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If contact surfaces are added to improve load-bearing capacity, then stacking stability increases, but the drying efficiency may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking stabilityVSAvoiddrying time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The contact surfaces are segregated from the inclined drainage areas, creating distinct zones that perform different functions. The contact surfaces provide stacking stability while the inclined areas maintain rapid drying capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The contact surfaces extend beyond the adjacent inclined areas in the horizontal dimension, creating protruding support zones that provide load-bearing capacity without interfering with the vertical water runoff path on the inclined surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This configuration enables boxes to achieve both high load capacity and rapid drying of side walls, ensuring efficient moisture removal and stable stacking, making them suitable for industrial use.

Implementation Method 1

the areas of the upper surface of the side wall sections remaining between the support surfaces are inclined at an angle to the stacking direction, allowing water and other liquids to quickly drain off the upper surfaces of the side wall sections

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

This creates an air gap between the respective upper sides of the side wall sections of the lower box and the undersides of the side wall sections of the upper box, which in turn promotes the rapid drying of the side walls

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3626646B1Stackable tray
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 FRIES PLANUNGS & MARKETING GMBH
  • EP3626646B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3626646B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP3626646B1 patent drawingFigure 8~11

AI summary

Stackable box (1) for receiving and transporting objects and for stacking in a stacking direction (2) with at least one other box (1) of the same type, wherein the box (1) has a base (3) and a side wall (4), wherein the base (3) and the side wall (4) together define a receiving space (5) for the objects, and the side wall (4) in a top view of the box (1) has corner regions (16) and side wall sections (21) extending between them, wherein the side wall sections (21) are each bounded by a top surface (22) inclined at least partially to the stacking direction (2) and a bottom surface (23) arranged opposite it, and on the top surfaces (22) of the side wall sections (21) are adjacent to at least one region (24) inclined at an angle to the stacking direction (2).These projecting contact surfaces (25) and/or contact surfaces (27) projecting over at least one adjacent area (26) are formed on the undersides (23). (Fig. 7).