Beverage Cooler Shelf Design for Multi-Size Container Adaptability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional beverage coolers often have shelf configurations that are not adaptable to different sizes and types of beverage containers, limiting their versatility in storing various types of beverages at desired temperatures.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates configurable shelves with rotatable and adjustable front portions, resilient inserts with horizontally spaced projections, and movable bottle neck props to accommodate various container sizes and orientations, allowing for customizable storage arrangements within the cooler.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional fixed shelf configurations are used, then the cooler can maintain simple structure and easy operation, but it cannot accommodate different sizes and types of beverage containers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of different container sizes and orientationsVSAvoidshelf configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shelf is divided into a stationary back portion and a movable front portion that can be independently positioned. The front portion can be tilted to different angles (horizontal, intermediate, and vertical positions) to accommodate different container orientations, while the back portion remains fixed to maintain structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The front portion of the shelf is made dynamically adjustable through a pivot mechanism with detent positions. Users can change the shelf configuration from horizontal to intermediate to vertical orientations based on the specific container storage needs, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to different requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the front portion of shelves is made rotatable and adjustable, then the cooler can support various container orientations, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer orientation supportVSAvoidshelf adjustment operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The front portion is designed with a pivot mechanism that allows rotation between predetermined detent positions (horizontal, intermediate, vertical). This dynamic design enables the shelf to adapt to different container orientations while maintaining ease of operation through simple manual adjustment to predefined positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The detent mechanism provides predetermined stable positions for the movable front portion, cushioning the user from the complexity of continuous adjustment. The spring-loaded detent positions ensure the shelf settles reliably at each orientation, making operation easier despite the added adjustability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Manufacturing precision

If resilient inserts with projections are added to hold containers, then container positioning precision improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer spacing and positioningVSAvoidshelf component complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Resilient inserts with projections are added only at specific locations on the shelf surface where container contact is needed. These localized features provide precise positioning and spacing for containers without requiring the entire shelf structure to be complex, maintaining simplicity while achieving precision where required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If bottle neck props are made movable, then the cooler can accommodate different bottle types, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebottle type accommodationVSAvoidprop mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Bottle neck props are designed as movable components that can be adjusted to different heights and positions. This dynamic capability allows the props to accommodate various bottle neck sizes and shapes, providing versatility in bottle storage while using relatively simple mechanical adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20240377124A1Cooler for holding beverage containers

Publication Date: 2024.11.14 DANBY PROD LTD

AI summary

Exemplary beverage coolers include a respective interior area which has a plurality of beverage container supporting shelves (270, 312, 342). The exemplary shelves each include a plurality of crossmembers (276, 322, 352, 360) that extend transversely to a shelf movement direction. Container cradles (286) are engageable with the crossmembers and operative to engage and hold beverage holding containers. The container cradles are positionable so that the shelves may support containers of different sizes. A prop bar (324) is movable between lowered and elevated positions. Cradles are releasably engageable with the prop bar in the elevated position to hold containers with the respective axes thereof extending at an acute angle. A shelf (342) positioned immediately above the shelf including the prop bar, includes a removable front portion (348) so that containers may be elevated by the prop bar.