Universal Stacking Members for Incompatible Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Containers with different stacking patterns often cannot be stacked efficiently or stably together, reducing their space efficiency and maneuverability, especially in field environments, due to incompatible stacking features.

Innovation Solution

The use of universal members with specific thickness and configurations of openings that can engage and receive different stacking patterns on containers, allowing for the stacking of containers with various patterns by positioning them between containers in selected configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If containers with different stacking patterns are stacked together, then space efficiency and maneuverability are improved, but stacking stability and compatibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestacking compatibilityVSAvoidstacking stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A universal stacking member is introduced as an intermediary component between containers with different stacking patterns. This universal member has a first stacking pattern on one surface and a second stacking pattern on the opposite surface, enabling it to bridge incompatible container interfaces and facilitate stable stacking between different container types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The universal stacking member is designed with multiple stacking patterns on its two surfaces, making it capable of interfacing with various container stacking patterns. This multi-functionality allows a single universal member design to accommodate different container types and stacking configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If containers with different stacking patterns are stacked together, then adaptability is improved, but structural compatibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestacking pattern compatibilityVSAvoidstacking system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The universal stacking member serves as a mediator that simplifies the stacking system by providing a standardized interface layer between incompatible containers, reducing the overall system complexity compared to designing multiple specialized stacking adapters for each container type combination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional stacking methods are used for different container types, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but stacking efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidstacking efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The universal stacking member enables efficient stacking of different container types without requiring modifications to the container manufacturing process, maintaining ease of manufacture while significantly improving stacking efficiency through standardized interfacing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8851287B2Container stacking system with universal members

Publication Date: 2014.10.07 BECKLIN HLDG

AI summary

Universal members placed between containers having different stacking patterns permit stacking of these containers regardless of the type of container positioned as the bottom container. The universal members include an appropriate thickness and a plurality of openings configured to receive the different stacking patterns. Depending on the containers being stacked, the universal members may take different forms. For example, one universal member may include T-shaped openings while another universal member may include rectangular-shaped openings with offset members.