Transparent Cover for Stackable Shopping Trolley

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Solution Overview

Problem

Stackable trolleys with pivoted flaps for goods transport often result in inventory discrepancies due to flat goods being concealed between the cover and seat plate, which are not visible to cashiers, leading to inefficiencies and errors during checkout.

Innovation Solution

A stackable trolley design featuring a transparent cover or cover with openings that allows visibility of goods between the cover and seat plate, even when the flap is closed, preventing inventory discrepancies and reducing the need for manual flap opening by the cashier.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the cover is made opaque to protect goods privacy, then goods confidentiality is improved, but visibility of goods between cover and seat plate deteriorates, causing inventory discrepancies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegoods visibilityVSAvoidinventory accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is made transparent or translucent instead of opaque, allowing light to pass through so that goods between the cover and seat plate remain visible to cashiers. This optical property change eliminates inventory discrepancies caused by hidden goods while maintaining the cover's protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Reliability

If the flap is closed to secure goods, then goods security is improved, but visibility of concealed goods deteriorates, leading to undetected inventory differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegoods securityVSAvoidgoods visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent cover allows the flap to be closed for security while maintaining visibility of goods through the cover material. Cashiers can see flat goods even when the flap is closed, preventing undetected inventory differences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the cover is made solid to prevent goods displacement, then goods stability is improved, but visibility of goods between cover and seat plate deteriorates, causing cashiers to manually open flaps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegoods stabilityVSAvoidgoods visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent cover maintains its solid structure to prevent goods displacement while allowing optical transmission. Cashiers can visually verify goods without manually opening flaps, saving time and improving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

4Reliability

If the cover is made transparent to improve goods visibility, then inventory accuracy is improved, but privacy of goods deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory accuracyVSAvoidgoods confidentiality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The cover uses transparent or translucent material that allows visibility for inventory accuracy while the trolley's design (flap closure, positioning) provides functional privacy. The transparency is limited to preventing hidden goods, not exposing all contents unnecessarily.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP2644472B1Shopping trolley

Publication Date: 2018.05.16 WANZL METALLWARENFAB GMBH

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AI summary

The stackable transport trolley has a flap (1) has a support wall (2), a rear wall (3) and a seat plate. Two openings (6) are formed in the flap, for accommodating legs of child. A position-variable cover is arranged to cover the openings, such that storage of additional goods is possible. The position-variable cover is made of transparent material.