Contoured Dust Bucket Rim for Pouring, Sealing, and Stable Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multipurpose buckets lack a functional design that allows for efficient material transport, stacking, and airtight sealing, particularly when handling materials like paint, while maintaining modularity with conventional buckets.
Innovation Solution
A stackable container with a contoured rim featuring an outwardly extending spout and ramp section that forms a transitional interface for material transport, combined with a planar upper edge for a secure lid engagement, ensuring airtight sealing and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional bucket design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but material transport efficiency and sealing capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The rim section is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides a stacking interface through its contoured shape, creates a spout for material pouring, forms a ramp for material transport, and provides a sealing surface for lid engagement. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by integrating what would traditionally require separate components into a single manufactured element.
Solution Approach 2:
The rim section is divided into distinct functional zones: a stacking portion for nesting, a spout portion for pouring, a ramp portion for material transport, and a sealing surface for lid engagement. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while being manufactured as an integrated component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional bucket design is used, then compatibility with existing buckets is maintained, but stacking stability and rolling prevention are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The rim section features an asymmetric contoured shape with a stacking portion that has a specific profile designed to nest within the rim of another bucket. This asymmetric design provides mechanical interlocking that prevents rolling while maintaining compatibility with conventional cylindrical buckets.
Solution Approach 2:
The stacking portion of the rim section is designed to nest within the rim section of another bucket when stacked. This nesting configuration provides stable stacking by creating an interlocked structure that resists rolling and maintains vertical alignment of stacked buckets.
3Device complexity
If a simple rim design is used, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but sealing capability and lid engagement are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The rim section incorporates a planar sealing surface at a specific location where the lid engages. This localized planar region provides a reliable sealing interface for airtight closure, while the rest of the rim maintains its contoured shape for stacking and material transport functions. This local quality approach ensures sealing capability without requiring the entire rim structure to be complex.
Data Source
AI summary
A stackable container includes a circular base. A body portion extends upward from the circular base. A rim section has an opening, wherein the body portion extends between the circular base and the rim section to define a container volume. The rim section includes an outwardly extending spout that is defined within an upper edge, and a ramp section that defines a linear portion of the upper edge. The linear portion of the ramp section defines a transitional interface where material on a substrate can be transported into the container volume via the ramp section resting on the substrate.