Dual Compartment Slide Container Access Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide and shell containers for consumer goods, such as those disclosed in US-A-2,058,710 and EP-A-0 059 915, do not allow simultaneous access to both compartments without removing one of the inner containers, leading to potential mistakes in accessing the correct compartment, especially when one is empty and the other is filled.
Innovation Solution
A dual compartment slide and shell container design where the inner slide has two compartments with separate access openings, allowing both to be accessible in an open position, with the second access opening aligned with an external access opening in the outer shell, preventing incorrect compartment access and maximizing advertising space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the inner slide is divided into two compartments accessible by sliding in opposite directions, then compartment separation is achieved, but the risk of mistaken access increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color coding to the exterior surfaces of the outer shell and inner slide to indicate the correct sliding direction for accessing each compartment. Different colors or color patterns are used to distinguish between the two access directions, providing visual guidance to consumers and preventing mistaken access to the wrong compartment.
2Reliability
If exterior surfaces are printed or embellished to distinguish compartments, then access accuracy improves, but advertising surface area decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies differentiation markings only to specific local areas of the container exterior that are necessary for indicating access directions, rather than covering the entire surface. This allows most of the exterior surface area to remain available for advertising and promotional content while providing sufficient visual cues for correct compartment access.
3Adaptability or versatility
If one compartment is empty and the other is filled, then product variety is increased, but the likelihood of mistaken access to the empty compartment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The color coding system remains consistent regardless of compartment contents, providing reliable directional guidance even when one compartment is empty. The visual indicators on the exterior surfaces continue to show the correct sliding direction for accessing each compartment, preventing consumers from mistakenly sliding toward an empty compartment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi-compartment slide and shell container (2) comprises: an outer shell (4); and an inner slide (6) having a first compartment (38) with a first access opening and a second compartment (40) with a second access opening. The inner slide (6) is slidable within the outer shell (4) between a closed position in which the first and second access openings are occluded by the outer shell (4) such that the interiors of the first (38) and second (40) compartments are inaccessible and an open position in which the interiors of the first (38) and second (40) compartments are both accessible. In the open position, the second access opening of the inner slide (6) is substantially aligned with a third access opening (20) provided in the outer shell (4) such that the second compartment (40) of the inner slide (6) is accessible through the second and third (20) access openings. The inner slide (6) may be slidable within the outer shell (4) between the closed position and the open position via an intermediate position in which the interior of one of the first (38) and second (40) compartments is inaccessible and the interior of the other of the first (38) and second (40) compartments is accessible.