Container with one or more tray retention portions and support stand
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional containers lack the capability to securely retain and store trays during use and transportation, limiting their functionality for preparing and serving meals at picnics or outdoor events.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring internal and external tray retention portions, along with a support stand that prevents downward rotation of an extension portion, allowing secure placement and storage of trays, including a rotatable handle with arms and crossbars forming an external tray retention portion and rails on the lid forming an internal tray retention portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If trays are placed on conventional containers without securing means, then counter-space is provided for meal preparation, but the trays cannot be securely retained during use or transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into functional zones: the lid includes an internal tray retention portion with recesses and rails, while the body includes an external tray retention portion on the extension surface. This segmentation allows trays to be securely retained at multiple locations - internally during storage and externally during use - resolving the contradiction between providing counter-space and ensuring tray security.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray retention portions are integrated within the container structure itself. The internal retention portion is formed within the lid, and the external retention portion is formed on the extension portion of the body. This nesting approach allows the container to provide secure tray retention without adding external attachments, maintaining portability while improving reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rotatable extension portion is added to provide external tray support, then tray retention capability is improved, but the extension portion may rotate downward causing tray instability
Solution Approach 1:
A support stand is provided that prevents downward rotation of the extension portion before the tray can become unstable. The support stand includes a stop member that engages with the extension portion when it rotates downward, providing preliminary anti-action against the harmful rotation and maintaining extension portion stability throughout use.
3Ease of operation
If the extension portion is made rotatable to serve as a handle, then ease of operation is improved, but the rotation mechanism adds device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The extension portion serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural element of the container body, provides an external tray retention portion on its outer surface, functions as a rotatable handle for easy operation, and includes a stop member to prevent excessive rotation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while improving ease of operation.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~2A
Figure 2B~3A
AI summary
Containers with one or more tray retention portions and a support stand are described. For example, a container can include: a substantially hollow body including a plurality of body walls extending vertically from a bottom portion; an extension portion rotatably coupled to an outward-facing surface of a body wall among the plurality of body walls, the extension portion configured to rotate to an active position in which the extension portion extends outwardly from the body wall; and a support stand having a proximal end coupled to the outward-facing surface of the body wall and a distal end, the support stand configured to move between at least a stowed position in which the support stand is positioned against or proximate to the outward-facing surface of the body wall and a support position in which the support stand extends outwardly from the body wall.