Bucket Accessory Jacket With Port-Mounted Secure Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing accessories for portable containers, such as five-gallon buckets, face issues like preventing the use of lids, slipping, and a lack of secure mounting options for accessories other than bags and organizers.

Innovation Solution

A jacket with connection members, including connectors and straps, that securely attach to the container's ports, allowing the accessory to hang and remain in place without occupying interior space, enabling the use of lids and providing stable storage compartments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If accessories are draped over the top of the bucket, then mounting is simple, but the lid cannot be used and the accessory may fall off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting simplicityVSAvoidattachment security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The accessory is divided into a body portion and a separate mounting structure with multiple attachment points. The mounting structure includes multiple straps or connectors that can be independently attached to different locations on the bucket, distributing the attachment load and securing the accessory firmly without interfering with the lid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting structure extends downward from the body portion along the outer sidewall of the bucket, utilizing the vertical dimension rather than draping over the top opening. This allows the accessory to be secured to the bucket's exterior surface, maintaining lid accessibility while preventing the accessory from falling off during inversion or movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If accessories are constricted around the outer sidewall of the bucket, then mounting is secure, but the accessory may slip

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidmounting stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting structure includes multiple attachment points distributed around the bucket's outer sidewall rather than a single constriction. Each attachment point can be independently secured to the bucket surface, creating localized securement zones that collectively prevent slipping while maintaining overall stability during use and inversion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If accessories occupy interior space of the container, then mounting is straightforward, but storage capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting simplicityVSAvoidstorage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting function is extracted from the interior space of the container and relocated to the exterior surface. The mounting structure attaches to the outer sidewall or rim of the bucket, completely separating the attachment mechanism from the interior storage volume, thereby maintaining full storage capacity while achieving secure mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11299318B2Portable container and container assembly

Publication Date: 2022.04.12 YETI COOLERS LLC

AI summary

An accessory for use with a portable container includes a jacket having a storage member and configured to extend around at least a portion of the sidewall of the container and a connection member connected to the jacket and configured to support the jacket in connection with the container. The connection member includes a connector configured to be connected to a port on the container such that a portion of the connector is received through the port.