Stacking Plate for Cans with Sealing and Nesting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for stacking cans with openings on their upper bottom, such as using cardboard trays, are inefficient due to incompatibility with automatic depalletizers, contamination risks, durability issues, and additional steps required for sealing and uncapping, which complicate transport and storage.
Innovation Solution
A stacking plate designed to fit between two cans, featuring a three-dimensional structure with expansions for secure holding, a male plug for sealing, and lugs for nesting, made of high-density polyethylene or similar materials, allowing for secure stacking and easy access to handles and openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cardboard trays are used for stacking cans with openings, then the cans can be stacked and transported, but the trays are incompatible with automatic depalletizers, contaminate clean rooms, deteriorate in humid conditions, and lack sufficient strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces durable but problematic cardboard trays with a reusable plastic stacking plate made of polyethylene or polypropylene. This plastic plate maintains structural integrity, resists deterioration in humid conditions, and can be used repeatedly without degrading, thus solving the reliability issue while enabling automation compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The stacking plate utilizes plastic materials (polyethylene or polypropylene) that combine strength, durability, and resistance to environmental factors. This material choice provides both the mechanical strength needed for stacking and the chemical resistance required for maintaining cleanliness in automated environments.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a seal is applied to the opening on the upper base of cans, then sealing against external pollution is ensured, but an additional uncapping step is required before filling
Solution Approach 1:
The stacking plate includes a built-in uncapping mechanism that is activated during the stacking process itself. The plate's structure allows it to automatically remove the seal from the can opening when the can is placed on the plate, eliminating the need for a separate preliminary uncapping step while maintaining sealing protection during transport and storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the sealing function and uncapping function into a single integrated operation. The stacking plate simultaneously provides structural support, sealing protection, and automatic seal removal, merging multiple functions into one device and process step.
3Stability of the object's composition
If expansions are added to the stacking plate to secure cans, then stable stacking is achieved, but the plate structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The stacking plate is divided into functional segments: a base plate for support, expansions for securing the can body, and a central uncapping mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall structural simplicity and manufacturability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Stacking plate for at least two cans, a lower can and an upper can, each can comprising an opening on its upper bottom, said plate comprising a body forming a three-dimensional structure configured to be interposed between the two cans, said body comprising: - means (2) (6) for holding the body between the two cans, and - closing means (4) configured to close the opening of the lower can.