Airtight Sample Container With Lens and Scent Openings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current display containers inadequately address the need to visualize and sample the aroma of botanical materials like tea and cannabis, failing to provide suitable storage, preservation, and presentation while allowing for magnification and aroma inspection.

Innovation Solution

A container design featuring a body with a mounting projection for samples, a lid with adjustable scent openings and a magnifying lens for visualization, forming an airtight chamber that allows for secure storage and presentation, along with optional features like a tether for carrying and adjustable ventilation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a display container is designed to allow aroma sampling, then customers can test the aroma of contents, but the container structure becomes more complex with additional openings and sealing mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearoma sampling capabilityVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is segmented into separate functional zones: a recessed area containing scent openings for aroma sampling, and a viewing opening with magnifying lens for visual inspection. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function independently, enabling aroma sampling without requiring the entire container structure to be complex.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The recessed area acts as an intermediary structure that contains the scent openings. This intermediary zone mediates between the need for aroma sampling and the need for a relatively simple container structure, as the recessed area can be integrated into the lid design without fundamentally redesigning the entire container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a magnifying lens is added to the container lid, then customers can visualize contents under magnification, but the lid structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisualization capabilityVSAvoidlid structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnifying lens is merged with the viewing opening in the lid, combining the functions of the lid (closure and protection) with the magnification function. This integration allows customers to visualize contents under magnification without adding a separate complex magnification device, thereby reducing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lid serves multiple functions: it provides closure for the container, creates an airtight seal when engaged with the perimetrical ridge, and incorporates both scent openings for aroma sampling and a viewing opening with magnifying lens for visual inspection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If an airtight seal is formed between lid and container body, then storage and preservation are improved, but the structure requires precise engagement features increasing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage and preservationVSAvoidsealing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A gasket is used to create the airtight seal between the lid and container body. The gasket acts as a flexible sealing element that can deform to accommodate minor variations in the engagement surfaces, ensuring a reliable airtight seal without requiring extremely precise machining of the rigid container parts, thus reducing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The perimetrical ridge on the container body and the corresponding engagement features on the lid work together to automatically position and secure the lid when closed. This self-aligning mechanism ensures proper engagement of the airtight seal without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or external assistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables effective visualization and aroma sampling of botanical materials while maintaining storage and preservation, enhancing the purchasing experience by allowing customers to inspect and sample products like tea and cannabis in detail.

Implementation Method 1

forming an airtight chamber that allows for secure storage and presentation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirtight seal:

Implementation Method 2

a lid with adjustable scent openings and a magnifying lens for visualization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnification: Lens

Implementation Method 3

scent openings 95 within said recessed area 90

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAroma sampling: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS9630747B2Container for providing aromatic sampling and visualization of contents

Publication Date: 2017.04.25 ALL PLASTIC INC

AI summary

Aspects of the present invention disclose and describe a container for displaying, visualizing, and aroma sampling botanical materials—such as tea, cannabis, and the like including a container body, lid, and lens. The container body is shaped to define a mounting projection wherein a sample, such as a botanical sample, may be held. Container body and lid form an airtight seal. A sample may be visualized through the lens. In a preferred embodiment, lid is shaped to define scent openings permitting aroma sampling of a sample contained within. In one embodiment option, one or more projections secure a card bearing sample identification information.