U-Shaped Cooler Handle Retraction for Compact Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile devices for transporting beach items are cumbersome, requiring multiple trips and occupying excessive space, as they lack the capacity to carry both perishable and non-perishable items efficiently and have large storage volumes when not in use.

Innovation Solution

A travel cooler with a wheeled platform and an insulated container that can be selectively coupled and uncoupled, featuring inflatable sidewalls, a drain conduit, and a handle system that allows for compact storage and efficient transportation of both perishable and non-perishable items.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a wheeled cooler is used to transport perishable items, then perishable items can be transported, but it cannot transport non-perishable items and requires multiple trips

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport capacityVSAvoidnumber of trips

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a cooler container with a wheeled cart into a single integrated device. The cooler is mounted on a wheeled platform with a handle, creating a unified structure that can transport both perishable items (in the cooler) and non-perishable items (on the cart platform), eliminating the need for multiple trips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wheeled cooler device serves multiple functions: it acts as both a cooler for perishable items and a cart for non-perishable items. The platform can hold various items while the cooler provides refrigeration, making the device universally applicable for transporting diverse beach items in a single trip.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of time

If a mobile device is designed with large capacity to transport all items, then single-trip transportation is enabled, but it occupies excessive storage space when not in use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of tripsVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is designed to be movable and adjustable. It can be extended to a vertical position for transporting the cooler and folded down to a horizontal position for compact storage. This dynamic configuration allows the device to switch between a spacious transport mode and a compact storage mode, reducing the volume occupied when not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the handle is fixed in an extended position for easy handling, then mobility is improved, but storage space is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle accessibilityVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables single-trip transportation of a substantial amount of beach items while significantly reducing storage space when not in use, thanks to the collapsible design and detachable components.

Implementation Method 1

The travel cooler further includes inflatable sidewalls and a valve for inflating of the sidewalls

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInflation:

Data Source

PatentUS9067614B2Travel cooler with transitionable U-shaped handle

Publication Date: 2015.06.30 M&C INNOVATIONS LLC

AI summary

A travel cooler, includes a body comprising a base, sidewalls, and a lid connected together to define an interior, insulated containment space for holding cooler items. A lengthwise dimension of the cooler extends between opposite ends of the cooler, and the body defines recessed exterior surface slots extending along a lengthwise extent of the cooler. The cooler further includes a U-shaped handle having two legs connected by a handle portion. The cooler is transitionable between a first configuration, in which the legs of the U-shaped handle extend a substantial length from the body of the cooler, and a second configuration, in which the legs of the U-shaped handle are received within the recessed exterior surface slots extending along a lengthwise extent of the cooler, the handle portion extending in close proximity to an end of the body of the cooler.