Transparent Bead Storage Tray with Grip Wings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage containers fail to efficiently organize, transport, and visually distinguish various types and colors of small craft items like beads, making it difficult to access and manage them effectively.
Innovation Solution
A storage system comprising multiple transparent containers of varying sizes arranged in an outer tray, with each container having grip wings and thumb scoops for easy handling and secure lid closure, allowing for visual access and secure transport of beads by orienting lids forward and using clear plastic for visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional storage containers are used for beads, then storage capacity is provided, but visual accessibility and ease of retrieval are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies transparency (a form of optical property change) by making the container body transparent while keeping the lid opaque. This allows users to visually access bead colors and types through the transparent container body without opening the lid, resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and visual accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The container is segmented into distinct functional parts: an opaque lid for security and a transparent body for visibility. This segmentation allows each part to serve its specific function - the lid provides secure closure while the transparent body enables visual identification of contents
2Reliability
If storage containers are designed for secure closure, then contents remain protected, but ease of handling and removal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates rounded corners and curved grip features on the container. These curved elements provide comfortable finger placement for easy gripping and removal, while the overall container structure maintains secure closure through the snap-fit lid mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The snap-fit mechanism acts as an intermediary between the lid and container body, providing secure closure through elastic engagement. This intermediary mechanism ensures reliable sealing while allowing easy opening through simple pressure application
3Productivity
If multiple bead types are stored together, then storage efficiency increases, but visual distinction and organization become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent container body allows users to visually distinguish different bead colors and types without opening the container. Users can organize multiple bead types in separate containers within the same storage system, maintaining visual distinction while achieving storage efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system is segmented into multiple individual containers, each capable of holding a specific bead type. This segmentation allows for organized storage of multiple bead varieties while maintaining visual accessibility to distinguish between different types
4Reliability
If containers are made opaque for security, then contents are protected from view, but visual access to bead colors and types is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical property differentiation by making the container body transparent and the lid opaque. This allows the transparent body to provide visual access to bead colors and types, while the opaque lid maintains content protection when closed
Solution Approach 2:
The container is segmented into transparent and opaque portions, with the transparent body enabling visual identification of contents and the opaque lid providing security. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between content protection and visual access
Data Source
AI summary
A tray and storage containers combination includes a tray having a bottom, side walls and an open top configured to receive a lid. A plurality of containers are configured to be arranged within the tray, each of which having a top wall and a bottom wall, two side walls and a back wall, each of the plurality of the containers having an openable lid. The containers are positioned in the tray to rest on their respective bottom walls so that the lids of the plurality of the containers face a side wall of the tray.