Cooler Wrap-Around Cover for Moisture Absorption and Collapsibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable coolers lack effective solutions for managing moisture and condensation, which can lead to sweating and discomfort during the transportation and storage of chilled items.
Innovation Solution
A cooler with a flexible, moisture-absorbent cover made of materials like neoprene or synthetic rubber, secured to the cooler body via snap connectors, allowing the cooler to transition between expanded and collapsed configurations while maintaining a snug fit and addressing condensation issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid cover is used to protect the cooler body, then protection is improved, but flexibility and collapsibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible cover made of pliable material that can wrap around the cooler body and be secured with snap connectors. This flexible shell provides protection while allowing the cooler to be collapsed for storage or transport, resolving the contradiction between protection and flexibility.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a moisture-absorbent cover is added to manage condensation, then moisture management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible cover serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides external protection, enables collapsibility for storage, and manages moisture through its absorbent properties. By combining these functions into a single component, the patent improves moisture management without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Temperature
If a snug-fit cover is secured to the cooler body, then temperature retention is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed with snap connectors that allow it to be easily attached and detached in segments. This segmentation enables the cover to provide a snug fit for temperature retention while maintaining ease of operation through simple connection and disconnection mechanisms.
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 solution effectively manages sweating and condensation on the outside of the cooler, maintaining the chilled state of items and enhancing user convenience by using a flexible, moisture-absorbent cover that secures to the cooler body, ensuring effective temperature retention.
Implementation Method 1
the cover comprises a moisture-absorbent material
Data Source
AI summary
A cooler includes a cooler body including one or more cooler walls. The cooler further includes a cover configured to be disposed around an exterior of the cooler body, the cover being sized and dimensioned to generally cover an exterior of the one or more cooler walls of the cooler body. The cover preferably includes a moisture-absorbent material. The cover also preferably includes an image, logo, symbol, or text; or a panel preferably includes the image, logo, symbol, or text, which panel is removably attachable to the cover.