Elastomer Coated Foam Cooler with Grooved Strap Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coolers, both disposable and reusable, face challenges in durability and ease of handling due to their weight and material composition, with disposable coolers being fragile and reusable ones being heavy and unwieldy, lacking effective anchoring points for carrying handles.
Innovation Solution
A cooler made from lightweight foamed polystyrene polymer coated with polyurea elastomer, equipped with a carrying strap system that fits into pre-molded grooves, providing durability and secure handling without increasing weight, and featuring adjustable, waterproof straps for secure anchoring and distribution of weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If disposable foam plastic coolers are used, then the cooler is lightweight and inexpensive, but it lacks durability and is difficult to handle when broken
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines polystyrene foam (lightweight, inexpensive) with polyurea elastomer coating (durable, flexible) to create a composite cooler structure. The foam core provides insulation and light weight, while the elastomer coating provides durability and impact resistance, resolving the contradiction between being lightweight and durable
2Reliability
If permanent reusable coolers are made from dense rigid plastic, then the cooler is durable, but it becomes very heavy and unwieldy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses polystyrene foam instead of dense rigid plastic for the cooler body, providing both insulation and light weight. The polyurea elastomer coating adds durability without significant weight, achieving both durability and light weight simultaneously
3Ease of operation
If carrying handles are added to lightweight coolers, then the cooler is easier to carry, but the handles cannot be securely anchored due to the fragile nature of disposable coolers
Solution Approach 1:
The polyurea elastomer coating provides a strong, flexible surface that can securely anchor carrying handles and straps. The elastomer's adhesion to the foam core and its own tensile strength allow handles to be firmly attached while maintaining the lightweight foam structure
Solution Approach 2:
The polyurea elastomer coating acts as a flexible shell that reinforces the cooler structure and provides anchoring points for handles. This thin film layer adds strength for handle attachment without significantly increasing weight
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 results in a lightweight, durable, and cost-effective cooler that is easy to carry and transport, combining the benefits of disposable and reusable coolers while reducing environmental impact through the use of inexpensive materials and minimizing waste.
Implementation Method 1
The addition of a coat of elastomer resin prevents the polystyrene from crumbling or breaking as it does in other similar applications
Implementation Method 2
Foamed hydrocarbon polymers provide an inexpensive base as well as effective thermal insulation for the contents of the cooler
Implementation Method 3
The straps distribute weight evenly across the surface of the cooler to prevent force and stress focusing on a single location or anchoring point
Data Source
AI summary
The invention consists of a cooler system entailing a foamed polymer body coated in a layer of elastomer and secured with a strap system. The body of the cooler consists of a base which serves as a container for beverages or other products as well as a lid, designed to fit the base such that it can only be removed by lifting upward. The foamed polymer provides insulation and structure while the elastomer coating and the straps provide increased durability and functionality. The body of the cooler contains grooves in which the straps are housed in order to secure the lid. The strap system also provides a means for carrying the invention as an anchoring place for handles. The resulting cooler system is lightweight and durable as well as inexpensive to construct.