Container having lid with outwardly facing display panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers, such as ice chests, require frequent opening to identify the contents, leading to unnecessary loss of cold air and increased melting of ice, especially when multiple containers with different items are used.
Innovation Solution
A container with a lid featuring a forward-facing display panel that can be moved between a raised position for visibility and a lowered position for storage, allowing users to indicate the type of items inside without opening the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the container lid is made solid and non-transparent to keep items cold, then thermal insulation is improved, but the ability to see contents without opening the lid deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is segmented into two functional parts: a solid non-transparent portion for thermal insulation and a transparent display panel portion for visibility. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
A transparent display panel is introduced as an intermediary element between the solid lid structure and the user's need to see contents. This intermediary allows visual information to pass through while maintaining the thermal barrier function of the solid lid.
2Loss of information
If the lid is opened frequently to identify contents, then visibility of contents is improved, but cold air loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent display panel provides preliminary visual information about container contents before the lid is opened. Users can identify contents through the display panel, performing the information-gathering action in advance and avoiding unnecessary lid openings that would cause cold air loss.
3Loss of information
If a display panel is added to the lid to show contents, then visibility of contents without opening the lid is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display panel is merged with the lid structure itself, integrating the visibility function directly into the existing lid rather than adding a separate external device. This reduces overall system complexity while achieving the desired functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid is designed with multi-functionality: the solid portions provide thermal insulation while the integrated transparent display panel portions provide visibility. This universal design allows a single component (the lid) to fulfill multiple functions without requiring additional separate devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A container having sidewalls that define an interior area for receiving items inside the container and a container lid to close the items inside the interior area of the container. The container lid has a recessed area in its upper surface. The container has a display panel with a display surface on which identifying information describing the items in the container is displayed. The display panel is received in the recessed area when not in use and is moved to a raised position to display the identifying information to prevent persons from unnecessarily opening the lid when seeking an item that is not in the container. A support assembly supports the display panel in the raised position. A writing instrument for writing the identifying information can be attached to the display panel with a clip or other securing mechanism. In one configuration, the container is an ice chest.