Tote Transport Device for Vertical Stacking and Sanitary Ice Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cart systems for transporting flowable materials like ice are inefficient and prone to contamination due to their large footprint, which makes them unsuitable for cramped environments, and they increase operational costs and sanitation issues.
Innovation Solution
A tote transport device with a compact design featuring a base with wheels, a handle, and a partitioning system that allows for stacked and secure cooperation of multiple containers, enabling vertical or tipped transportation and reducing physical effort, while maintaining sanitation through a lid that seals the containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a wheeled cart is configured to transport multiple ice bins or totes per trip, then the quantity of material transported is improved, but the footprint area increases making it unsuitable for cramped quarters
Solution Approach 1:
The cart transitions from a horizontal arrangement of multiple totes to a vertical stacked configuration. The base receives a first tote, and a second tote is positioned above it on an upper surface, utilizing the vertical dimension to increase transport capacity without expanding the horizontal footprint, enabling navigation through narrow kitchen passages and tight quarters.
2Adaptability or versatility
If open containers are placed on a cart at elevations below the working surface, then the cart can be maneuvered in close proximity to counters, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
A sanitizable cover or lid is provided that can be positioned over the tote(s) to create a protective barrier. The cover prevents food stuffs from falling into the ice containers during transport through food preparation areas, while still allowing the cart to be maneuvered in close proximity to counters and equipment.
3Device complexity
If staff manually carry ice totes between bulk source and use areas, then the equipment complexity is minimized, but the physical effort and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cart is equipped with wheels and a caster to enable easy movement across the floor, eliminating the need for staff to lift and carry heavy totes. The base with mobility features allows staff to simply push or pull the cart rather than physically strain to transport ice, significantly reducing physical effort while maintaining operational simplicity.
4Quantity of substance
If multiple discrete ice buckets are arranged in rows and columns, then the quantity of ice transported is improved, but the device complexity and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple totes are vertically stacked and combined into a single integrated load on the cart. The base receives a first tote and a second tote is positioned above it, creating a unified vertical stack rather than separate horizontal arrangements. This merging approach increases ice transport capacity while simplifying the cart structure and reducing its footprint.
Data Source
AI summary
A tote transport assembly that includes a base, a handle, a partition, and a lid. The base includes a plurality of wheels that facilitate vertical or tipped transportation of the ice cart through an environment. The base and the partition and the partition and the lid are shaped to facilitate a stacked and secure cooperation of multiple containers, totes, or buckets with the cart assembly. The partition and the lid movably cooperate with the handle to facilitate secure and sanitary cooperation of the containers with the cart assembly as well as convenient and expedient filling and emptying of the discrete containers. The stacked orientation of the multiple containers and alternate transport modalities provide a compact assembly for conveniently transporting loaded or unloaded containers throughout even tight quartered environments and in a manner that reduces the effort associated with such activities.