Container with adaptive storage volume
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage solutions for food products fail to effectively prevent drying out due to residual air and moisture transfer, often requiring complex and costly adjustments, and can damage contents during movement.
Innovation Solution
A container with a base and lid that forms a mainly airtight volume, featuring an adaptive mechanism with a resilient structure to minimize air space and prevent moisture transfer, allowing for easy adjustment and secure closure, suitable for repeated use and mass production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual sliding and turning operations are used to adjust volume (GB 2372732 A), then volume adjustment is achieved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is designed with a resilient adaptation device that automatically adjusts the storage volume dynamically based on the content quantity, eliminating the need for manual sliding and turning operations. The resilient structure enables the lid to move freely and adapt to different filling levels without complex mechanical mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual sliding and turning operations are used to adjust volume (GB 2372732 A), then volume adjustment is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The container performs volume adjustment automatically through the resilient adaptation device that responds to the weight and volume of the content. The lid self-adjusts without requiring user intervention for sliding or turning operations, making the system user-friendly and easy to operate.
3Extent of automation
If bellows structure is used for automatic volume adjustment (U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,338), then automatic adaptation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptation device uses a resilient structure with a flexible membrane or thin-walled construction that enables automatic volume adjustment through elastic deformation. This flexible shell approach achieves automation without the complexity of traditional bellows mechanisms, allowing the lid to expand and contract smoothly.
4Reliability
If standard packaging resealing is used, then storage is achieved, but air removal becomes difficult and moisture transfer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container creates an optimized storage environment by minimizing air space through automatic volume adaptation. The resilient lid structure compresses the headspace and can incorporate sealing mechanisms that displace air and prevent moisture transfer, effectively creating a protected atmosphere similar to inert gas packaging.
5Ease of manufacture
If fixed volume container is used, then manufacturing is simple, but storage efficiency deteriorates with varying content quantities
Solution Approach 1:
The container incorporates a dynamic volume adjustment mechanism where the resilient adaptation device allows the storage volume to change automatically based on content quantity. This maintains manufacturing simplicity while significantly improving storage efficiency for varying filling levels.
6Manufacturing precision
If complex adjustment mechanisms are used, then volume adaptation is precise, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient adaptation device achieves precise volume adaptation through material parameter selection and geometric design rather than complex mechanical mechanisms. By changing the resilience parameters, thickness, and shape of the adaptation structure, precise adaptation is achieved with simple manufacturing processes.
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 container effectively maintains food quality by minimizing air and moisture exchange, providing a cost-effective, user-friendly, and environmentally friendly solution for long-term storage without manual complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The adaptation device may comprise a resilient structure
Implementation Method 2
the protection may consist in displacing principally all air remaining in the storage volume
Data Source
AI summary
A container (1) for storage of solids, discrete elements, granular materials or liquid, comprises a base (2) and a lid (3) and the base (2) are suitable for forming an air tight storage volume (23). The base (2) and lid (3) comprise respective base closing devices (24) and lid closing devices (34) arranged to cooperate to close the container (1) and limit relative movement between the base (2) and the lid (3) by the closing devices (24, 34). The lid (3) has an lid base (33) and an adaptation device (35) arranged between the lid closing devices (34) and the inner part of the lid (33). The adaptation device (35) is placed to push the lid base (33) from the lid closing device (34) toward a bottom (21) of the base (2) for adaptation of the storage volume (23) to the content (4) in the container (1).