Convertible Containment Mat With Cinch-Sealed Luggage Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional containers for small items, such as rigid and flexible containers, are inconvenient to carry, store, and clean up, as they do not securely contain small items, require manual sorting, and are difficult to transport, especially for children or elderly individuals.

Innovation Solution

A convertible containment device that transforms from a mat to a sealed bag, featuring a raised lip to contain items on a surface and convert into a sealed container, using a cinch cord to secure the contents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid containers are used to store small items, then the items are securely contained, but the container is difficult to carry and stow, and items stack up making them difficult to access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure containment of small itemsVSAvoidconvenience of carrying and stowing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container transitions from a rigid structure to a flexible, collapsible bag that can be compressed and folded. The rigid walls are replaced with flexible material that allows the container to be squished into a compact form for easy carrying and stowing, while still maintaining secure containment when in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces rigid container walls with flexible material shells. The flexible bag with sealed edges provides containment through its flexible structure rather than rigid walls, allowing it to be compressed and folded into compact forms for easy transport and storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of operation

If flexible containers like tote bags are used, then the container is easy to carry and stow, but small items fall out when dropped or shaken because the opening cannot be securely closed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of carrying and stowingVSAvoidsecure containment of small items

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible bag structure with sealed edges created by folding and sealing the material. This flexible shell provides secure containment for small items while maintaining the ease of carrying and stowing associated with flexible containers. The sealed edges prevent items from falling out during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates redundant sealed edges by folding the material multiple times and sealing each layer. This layered sealing approach provides multiple barriers to prevent items from escaping, cushioning against the risk of items falling out during drops or shakes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If rigid containers are used, then small items are securely contained, but the container breaks when dropped, releasing the items

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure containment of small itemsVSAvoidresistance to breaking when dropped

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid container walls with flexible material that can absorb impact without breaking. The flexible bag structure bends and deforms under stress rather than fracturing, maintaining containment integrity during drops and rough handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates redundant sealed edges by folding and sealing the material multiple times. This layered construction provides multiple barriers and distributes stress, preventing single-point failures that would cause rigid containers to break and release items.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Ease of operation

If small items are dumped out of a container to make them visible, then all pieces are accessible, but manual pickup and sorting becomes time-consuming and tedious

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of all itemsVSAvoidtime required for clean-up

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flat, unfolded mat configuration that provides a large two-dimensional surface area for displaying and accessing items. This dimensional expansion allows all items to be visible and accessible simultaneously without requiring manual sorting or stacking, dramatically reducing clean-up time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12593903B2Containment mat that converts to luggage with secure seal

Publication Date: 2026.04.07 FAZACKERLEY AMY S

AI summary

A convertible containment device includes a flexible base configured to substantially conform to a supporting surface when the device is in an open configuration, a wall affixed to a perimeter of the flexible base and extending substantially perpendicularly away from the flexible base when the device is in the open configuration, and a cinch cord in operable relation with the wall, and forming a loop when the device is in the open configuration. The cinch cord is configured such that operating the cinch cord causes the device to transform from the open configuration to a bag-like configuration by gathering the wall to form an annulus having an opening, and the opening of the annulus is sized to prohibit exit of an object from within the bag-like configuration.