Storage Tote Latching Handle for Secure Lid Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage totes face challenges in secure lid engagement, easy disengagement, and optimal vertical nesting for efficient shipping and storage, often resulting in increased manufacturing complexity, weight, and brittleness due to hinged designs or complex mechanical features.
Innovation Solution
A storage tote system with oppositely disposed hinged latches and a minimized vertical design, featuring pivot pins, engagement tabs, and recessed panels that allow for secure lid attachment and easy disengagement without deforming the plastic, optimizing vertical density through improved nesting capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If tabs or barbs are used to mechanically engage the lid with the body wall, then secure engagement is achieved, but disengagement requires significant force that can deform or break the plastic
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism transitions from a static tab-barb engagement to a dynamic system where the latch arm can pivot between engaged and disengaged positions. The pivot pin allows rotational movement, enabling the latch to flex during engagement and release easily during disengagement without requiring excessive force that would deform the plastic.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch arm acts as an intermediary between the lid and body wall, replacing the direct tab-barb mechanical engagement. This intermediary component provides controlled engagement through its pivot mechanism, allowing secure attachment while enabling easy release by simply rotating the latch arm outward, eliminating the need to deform the plastic.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hinged lid sections are used to improve functionality, then versatility is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lid system is segmented into discrete components: a separate lid portion and a body portion with integrated latches. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using simpler processes, avoiding the complexity of hinged connections while maintaining functionality through the removable lid design.
Solution Approach 2:
The simple removable lid design with latch mechanism provides universal functionality for opening, closing, and securing the tote. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for complex hinged sections while achieving the same practical purposes of access and protection.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional body configurations are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but vertical nesting density is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The body configuration incorporates nested recessed panels that create interlocking nesting cavities. When totes are stacked vertically, the recessed panels of upper totes fit into the corresponding panels of lower totes, maximizing vertical nesting density while maintaining simple manufacturing processes for each individual tote.
Solution Approach 2:
The design optimizes vertical stacking by creating dimensional features (recessed panels with specific profiles) that enable tight nesting in the vertical dimension. This dimensional optimization allows maximum number of totes to be nested within a given vertical height without complicating the manufacturing of individual totes.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage tote system includes a body having a peripheral upper edge and hinged latches located at either end the peripheral upper edge. Each hinged latch includes lateral arms having pivot pins. The lateral arms are connected to an upper flange. The upper flange has an engagement tab extending from its lower surface. The storage tote system also includes a lid with an upper surface having complimentary recessed features on opposite ends, and a peripheral, downwardly facing groove.Each hinged latch is configured to be rotated about their pivot pins so that the upper flange is rotated onto the complimentary recessed feature. An aperture formed within the recessed feature of the lid's upper surface receives the engagement tab to securing the lid onto the body. Each hinged latch can also be rotated outwardly, away from the lid in order to disengage the engagement tab without deforming the lid.