With smarter construction for custom-made stacking containers

For standard stacking containers used daily in the meat, food, and pharmaceutical industries, the feet of the upper container rest on the edge of the container below. They protrude slightly inward on one side. This is a problem because contaminated water can run down the outer walls of the containers and into the ones below. The feet can also transfer dirt from the ground to the lower containers when stacking. "A customer from the retail food industry approached us with this challenge," reports Höcker Managing Director Benjamin Höcker. This is an ongoing issue during the transportation and storage of food. "Together with the customer, we developed a solution that channels water and dirt outward, ensuring that the goods inside the containers can be transported hygienically and safely.

No chance for contamination

The solution: In response to the customer's request, Höcker designed stacking containers that ensure the stored goods do not come into contact with contaminants during storage and transport. The feet are mounted on the outside, so contaminants never reach the inside of the containers where the stored food contacts. The vertical drainage channels at the corners direct dirty water specifically to the ground, reports Jörg Eekhoff from technical sales. Additionally, the stacking corners have a lip towards the container tray, preventing anything from entering the container during stacking.

Hygiene without compromising stability

The increased hygiene does not come at the expense of efficiency and stability. On the contrary, the external stacking corners allow for easy, safe handling and placement of the containers on top of each other. Thanks to the sturdy construction, multiple stacking is possible without the rim giving way under the load or the lower container bending. Even if the rim gets a dent, the stackability remains intact, unlike conventional containers. The larger, flat surface and the thick bottom plate under the feet prevent rapid wear on rough surfaces, significantly extending the overall lifespan of the container.

Custom-sized stacking containers for the meat, food, and pharmaceutical industries

Both the size, required load capacity, and the number of containers to be stacked can be individually adapted to customer needs. Depending on the requirement, reinforcements or an additional external frame structure can be added. For even greater product safety, the containers can also be ordered with a lid, which allows stacking in the closed state, explains Eekhoff.

From problem to solution

Returning to the customized solution for the retail food customer: The customer’s requirements were thoroughly analyzed, and potential solutions were developed. Two promising options made it to the shortlist and were drafted as construction drawings. To make the abstract representations more tangible, three-dimensional PDF visualizations were also created, reveals Höcker. This allowed the customer to virtually see the container in reality, understand it spatially, and examine it from all angles. The zoom function reveals even details. For a subsequent practical test, the two designs are built to make the final decision—a typical Höcker approach that provides our customers with security and guarantees high satisfaction with the final product.