Transport Unit Force-Absorbing Structure for Coil Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Coils of collapsible container blanks with differing densities cause instability and damage during transport due to interleaving and 'upsetting', leading to increased costs and environmental issues, as they cannot be stacked securely and the burden of proof for damage is difficult to establish.

Innovation Solution

A transport unit comprising a load carrier with a load distributing element and a tightening strap that forms a force-absorbing structure, where the tightening strap encloses this structure in the longitudinal direction of the deckboards, preventing vertical force from being absorbed by the container blanks and allowing multiple coils to be stacked without damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If coils of container blanks with differing densities are stacked on top of each other during transport, then transport efficiency is improved, but instability and interleaving of turns occur causing damage to the container blanks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport efficiencyVSAvoidstability of stacked coils
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A transport device with a support surface and securing element is introduced as an intermediary between the coils and the transport environment. The support surface provides a stable base for stacking, while the securing element actively prevents interleaving and movement, allowing reliable stacking despite density differences in the container blanks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The transport device provides preliminary support and protection to the coils before damage can occur. The support surface prevents initial instability, and the securing element is positioned to prevent interleaving before it can cause damage during transport

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If coils are transported one by one in separate boxes to prevent damage, then stability and protection of container blanks are improved, but packing costs and environmental impact increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of container blanksVSAvoidpacking structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple coils that would traditionally require separate boxing are merged into a single transport unit. The common transport device with its support surface and securing element provides collective protection, eliminating the need for individual boxes while maintaining protection against damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transport device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides a support surface for stacking, incorporates securing elements to prevent interleaving, and acts as a protective structure. This multi-functionality replaces multiple separate packing solutions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2021261B1Transport unit and method of manufacture thereof
Publication Date: 2013.06.19 ECOLEAN AB
  • EP2021261B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2021261B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2021261B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a transport unit (20) comprising a load carrier (10), a load (30) which comprises at least one coil (1 ) of a web (3), said web (3) being wound on a reel (6), a load distributing element (18), and a tightening strap (50), said load (30) being carried by said load carrier (10) in such a manner that the reel (6) of said at least one coil (1 ) is arranged perpendicular to said load carrier (10), said load (30) having an upper surface (21) facing said load distributing element (18), said load distributing element (18) being arranged on the upper surface (21) of the load, and the tightening strap (50) enclosing a force-absorbing structure (40) formed of the load carrier (10), the reel (6) and the load distributing element (18) and adapted to secure the load to the load carrier. The load carrier (10) has a flat load surface (17), and said web (3) comprises interconnected container blanks (2), said load (30) having a lower surface (22) which rests on said load surface (17) and comprises an end face (25) of the reel (6) of said at least one coil and a bottom surface (23) formed of a bottom edge (24) of said web (3) of interconnected container blanks (2). The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a transport unit (20).