Sterile Goods Basket Folding Brackets for Sag-Free Stacking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sterile goods baskets face challenges in reliable and stress-free movement when stacked, as the uppermost basket can sag and cause damage or contamination during handling.

Innovation Solution

The design of the sterile goods basket and folding brackets allows the uppermost basket to be lifted and moved along horizontal retaining strips parallel to the long sides, ensuring support and preventing sagging, with folding brackets serving as guides for comfortable and reliable handling, and featuring beveled ends and multiple tabs for enhanced load-bearing capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the uppermost sterile goods basket is moved along the longitudinal direction when stacked, then the basket can be relocated, but the short side at the rear sags and causes damage or contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement of stacked basketsVSAvoidsupport during movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a support element that acts as an intermediary between the uppermost basket and the basket below. This support element extends along the longitudinal direction and provides continuous support to the short side at the rear during movement, preventing sagging while enabling relocation of the stacked baskets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of stationary object

If folding brackets are positioned on short sides to enable stacking, then space saving is achieved, but reliable movement along longitudinal direction is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestacking spaceVSAvoidmovement along longitudinal direction

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support element serves multiple functions: it enables the baskets to be stacked one inside another (space saving) while simultaneously providing guidance and support for movement along the longitudinal direction. This multi-functional element resolves the contradiction between compact stacking and reliable movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the uppermost basket is lifted and moved, then relocation is possible, but mechanical stress and sagging occur without proper support

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelocation of basketsVSAvoidmechanical stress on basket

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is pre-positioned and extends along the longitudinal direction before movement occurs. This preliminary support structure is already in place to bear the load and distribute mechanical stress during relocation, preventing sagging and reducing stress concentrations on the basket structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3321205B1Stackable and nestable sterile goods basket

Publication Date: 2019.06.05 HUPFER METALLWERKE GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a sterile goods basket with a rectangular base having two long sides and two short sides, and with two folding brackets (2) arranged on an upper edge. In a first folding position, the brackets allow the baskets to be stacked inside each other, and in a second folding position, each bracket, with a horizontal retaining strip (6), allows them to be stacked on top of each other. According to the invention, the folding brackets (2) are arranged on the long sides of the sterile goods basket. Within the scope of the invention, identical sterile goods baskets can also be slid on top of each other along their long sides when stacked, without affecting the sterile goods they contain.