Bag with Integrated Suction Cups for Cooler Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coolers require tight sealing to maintain thermal integrity, leading to water accumulation when ice melts, which can cause items like sandwiches to become soggy or disintegrate.
Innovation Solution
A sealable bag with integrated suction cups that can attach to smooth surfaces, keeping items dry and cool by preventing contact with melting ice water, using thermoplastic panels joined by radio frequency welding and equipped with a zipper lock for easy access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coolers are tightly sealed to maintain thermal integrity, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but water accumulates at the bottom causing items to become soggy
Solution Approach 1:
The interior of the cooler is segmented into two zones: an upper dry storage area and a lower ice/water area. The bag structure creates a physical barrier that divides the cooler interior, allowing the sealing to be maintained for thermal integrity while preventing water from reaching stored items.
Solution Approach 2:
The bag acts as an intermediary barrier between the stored items and the melting ice water. It provides a protective interface that allows the cooler to remain sealed and cold while preventing direct contact between water and items, thus resolving the contradiction between thermal integrity and water protection.
2Ease of operation
If items are placed at the bottom of the cooler for easy access, then convenience is improved, but items contact melting ice water and become soggy
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves the storage space from the traditional horizontal bottom placement to a vertical arrangement. Items are stored in bags that hang from the upper interior surfaces, utilizing the vertical dimension to keep items elevated above water accumulation zones while maintaining easy accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing items on the bottom and protecting them from water, the approach is inverted: items are suspended from the top, and the water naturally accumulates at the bottom away from the stored items. This inversion of the traditional storage approach eliminates water contact while maintaining accessibility.
3Stability of the object's composition
If suction cups are added to the bag to attach to cooler surfaces, then bag stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bag incorporates self-adhesive suction cups that automatically attach to the cooler interior surfaces when pressed against them. The suction cups create their own attachment mechanism without requiring additional fasteners, clips, or complex mounting hardware, thus improving stability while adding minimal complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction cups utilize pneumatic principles by creating a vacuum seal against the cooler's interior surfaces. This pneumatic attachment mechanism provides stable adhesion without mechanical fasteners, resolving the contradiction between stability and complexity through the use of pressure differential.
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
The bag effectively keeps items dry and cool by attaching to cooler lids or other smooth surfaces, preventing water from reaching contents and maintaining freshness.
Implementation Method 1
one or more suction cups are attached to, or integrated into, a major surface of the bag
Implementation Method 2
allowing the bag to attach to cooler lids or other smooth surfaces
Implementation Method 3
thermoplastic panels joined by radio frequency welding
Data Source
AI summary
A bag includes one or more suction cups attached to, or integrated into, a major surface of the bag. The suction cups are configured to allow the bag to be selectively attached to, or detached from, the surface of an object. Examples of such objects include coolers, boats, and refrigerator sidewalls.