Stackable Tray With Wavy Bands And Corner Windows

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plastic beverage crates do not effectively deter theft and hinder barcode scanning of bottles, as they can be used as a support surface and obstruct the visibility of bottle barcodes.

Innovation Solution

A single-piece injection-molded plastic crate design featuring wavy side bands with a curved center peak and troughs, preventing use as a stool, and corner windows for barcode scanning, allowing full visibility of bottle barcodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the crate has a flat top surface, then it provides stable support for bottles, but it can be used as a stool or step by consumers

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidtheft risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature to the top surface of the crate by forming peaks and valleys (undulating surface) instead of a flat surface. This curved geometry prevents the crate from providing stable support, thereby deterring theft while still allowing bottle placement. The peaks provide support points for bottles while the valleys create instability for human use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Strength

If the crate has solid side walls, then it provides structural strength, but it obstructs visibility of bottle barcodes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidbarcode visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the solid side wall structure by incorporating windows or openings in the side walls. This segmentation allows light to pass through, enabling barcode visibility while the remaining wall structures maintain the necessary structural strength for crate integrity and bottle support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the crate has a simple rectangular design, then it is easy to manufacture, but it does not deter theft

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidtheft risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the simple rectangular design by adding curved peaks and valleys to the top surface and potentially to side bands. These curved features can be integrated into injection molding processes, maintaining ease of manufacture while effectively deterring theft by preventing stable support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple functions into the crate structure: the peaks serve both as bottle support points and as anti-theft features, while the valleys provide drainage pathways. This merging of functions achieves theft deterrence without requiring separate components, maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10029824B2Stackable low depth tray

Publication Date: 2018.07.24 REHRIG PACIFIC CO INC

AI summary

A crate includes a base, a pair of opposed end walls extending upward from the base, and a pair of opposed side walls extending upward from the base between the end walls. Each side wall includes a plurality of side columns extending upward from the base to a side band. The side wall and the end wall include an upper band connected to the base by a plurality of columns. The upper band includes at least one upper window formed therethrough. The side wall includes an upper edge having a curved center peak, troughs on either side of the center peak and end peaks proximate either end wall.