Collapsible Colander Structure for Easy Expansion and Stability

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing collapsible kitchen containers are either difficult to expand and collapse due to stiff materials or lack self-supporting stability when expanded, making them cumbersome to store and use.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible container design comprising a rigid top rim, a flexible center band, and a rigid base, allowing easy collapse to one-third of its original height while remaining self-supporting and stable, with features like drainage holes and adjustable handles for versatility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single stiff plastic material with multiple pleats is used to create collapsible containers, then the container can be made collapsible, but it becomes very hard to expand and collapse requiring substantial force

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecollapsibilityVSAvoidease of expansion and collapse

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into three distinct structural segments: a rigid top rim, a flexible center band, and a rigid base. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the rigid portions provide structural support while the flexible center band enables easy collapse and expansion without requiring substantial force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the container have different material properties tailored to their specific functions. The top rim and base use rigid materials to provide stability and self-support, while the center band uses flexible material to enable easy collapse. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between collapsibility and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible material is used to form collapsible strainers, then the item can be readily flattened, but it lacks self-supporting stability and collapses when placed on a surface

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecollapsibilityVSAvoidself-supporting stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into three distinct structural segments: a rigid top rim, a flexible center band, and a rigid base. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the rigid portions provide structural support while the flexible center band enables easy collapse and expansion without requiring substantial force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the container have different material properties tailored to their specific functions. The top rim and base use rigid materials to provide stability and self-support, while the center band uses flexible material to enable easy collapse. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between collapsibility and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If large kitchen items like bowls and colanders are made non-collapsible, then they maintain structural stability, but they take up an inordinate amount of storage space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The container transitions from a static, fixed-volume structure to a dynamic structure that can change volume. The flexible center band allows the container to collapse to a fraction of its original height for compact storage, while maintaining full structural stability when expanded and in use. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction between stability and storage volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8871092B2Collapsible colander and bowl

Publication Date: 2014.10.28 PROGRESSIVE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

AI summary

A collapsible container consists of three parts: a rigid top rim, a flexible center band, and a rigid base. This combination of sections allows the container to easily collapse to about one-third of its original height. The container is also quite stable when expanded and is self-supporting. In various embodiments of the invention, for example, the upper rim may be expandable, the base may include holes or mesh to serve as a colander or strainer, or the base may be configured as a tube to function as a funnel.