Collapsible Beverage Container Vacuum Nesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large beverage containers are cumbersome and difficult to store, leading to inventory issues for restaurants and convenience stores, as they occupy significant space when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible container design that uses a vacuum to collapse and nest for efficient storage, with the ability to expand when needed for filling and sealing with a closure cap, allowing for efficient storage and transportation of beverages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If large beverage containers are used to hold 72 oz of liquid, then the container capacity is sufficient, but the storage space required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsed container is designed to nest within itself, with the top portion inserted into the base portion, reducing storage volume by up to 43% while maintaining full beverage capacity when expanded
Solution Approach 2:
The container transitions between two states: expanded for holding 72 oz of beverage and collapsed for storage, allowing dynamic adaptation between capacity mode and space-efficient mode
2Volume of stationary object
If the container is collapsed for storage, then storage efficiency improves, but the container must be expanded for filling
Solution Approach 1:
The container utilizes vacuum pressure as a parameter to maintain the collapsed state, and releasing this parameter (by removing the cap) allows automatic expansion back to full size for filling
Solution Approach 2:
The container expands automatically when the vacuum seal is broken by removing the cap, eliminating the need for manual expansion effort from the user
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 collapsible container reduces storage volume by up to 43% when not in use, while maintaining the capacity to hold 72 oz of liquid, addressing the challenge of space efficiency and inventory management.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum in each of said plurality of containers causes said containers to collapse
Implementation Method 2
the containers are configured to retain a pressure that is at least two times atmospheric pressure
Implementation Method 3
the containers are manufactured from shape memory material
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible container and a method of using the collapsible container are provided. In one embodiment of the container, the container comprises a collapsible fold area associating a base portion with a nestable portion, the collapsible fold area being structured such that a collapsing of collapsible fold area results in disposal of at least a portion of the nestable portion within the base volume. In one embodiment of the method, the method comprises the steps of nestling the collapsed containers with one another for efficient space storage when said collapsed containers are not in use, and releasing a vacuum or applying a force to return a collapsed container to its full or expanded position.