Configurable container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable storage containers lack flexibility in temperature control and configuration, making it difficult to maintain perishable items at desired temperatures during transport and storage, especially in varying ambient conditions, and fail to securely hold ice packs and contents during shipping.
Innovation Solution
A portable storage container system featuring a configurable divider with projections and grooves that allow for vertical and horizontal orientations, enabling customizable temperature control sections and secure placement of ice packs, along with an insulated shell that can be folded for compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ice packs are placed in the storage container to maintain low temperature, then the desired temperature is achieved, but the ice packs and contents shift during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container is divided into multiple compartments using dividers, creating separate sections for ice packs and contents. This segmentation prevents shifting by confining each component to its designated space while maintaining temperature control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The container features reconfigurable dividers that can be adjusted between different positions and orientations. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the container to adapt to different loading configurations, securing items in place while maintaining optimal temperature zones.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the storage container is designed with fixed configuration, then manufacturing is simple, but it cannot accommodate varied storage needs
Solution Approach 1:
The container incorporates reconfigurable dividers that can be moved between different positions and orientations, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one. This allows the same container to adapt to various storage needs without increasing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The container design provides multiple grooves and mounting positions that enable a single container to serve multiple storage configurations. This universal design approach allows one container to accommodate different item sizes, shapes, and storage requirements.
3Stability of the object's composition
If dividers are added to separate contents and secure items, then position stability is improved, but the container structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The container uses modular divider components that segment the interior space into manageable sections. These dividers provide stability by preventing item movement while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The dividers are designed to be reconfigurable rather than fixed, allowing users to adjust the internal structure based on storage needs. This dynamic capability provides stability when needed while maintaining structural simplicity through a standardized divider design.
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 system effectively maintains desired temperatures for perishable items, securely holds ice packs and contents, and allows for versatile configurations to accommodate different storage needs, enhancing the reliability of food and beverage storage and transport.
Implementation Method 1
A portable storage container includes a first divider and an insulated body. The insulated body has an internal cavity configured for storing items
Data Source
AI summary
A configurable storage container system for storing items includes a tote, an insulated shell with a lid, and an insulated divider configured to divide the internal cavity of the tote into two sections. The insulated shell is configured for receiving the tote. The insulated shell includes a base and a plurality of side walls and is foldable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration such that the tote fits inside the insulated shell when the insulated shell is in the expanded configuration. The lid is configured for closing the tote inside the insulated shell when the insulated shell is in the expanded configuration.