Expandable insulated food container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Soft-sided insulated containers lack structural support and waterproofing, while hard-sided containers are inflexible and cannot adjust volume according to the contents, posing challenges in protecting and maintaining the temperature of food and beverages during transport.
Innovation Solution
An expandable container assembly comprising a flexible insulated container with a semi-rigid insert, featuring a combination of rigid and flexible components that allows for two configurations: a compact form for smaller items and an expanded form for larger items, using a zipper system to adjust volume and provide structural support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If soft-sided insulated containers are used, then weight is reduced and portability is improved, but structural support and waterproofing are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The container combines soft-sided flexible fabric panels with rigid structural elements (plastic or metal ribs, frames, or corners) to create a composite structure that maintains light weight while providing necessary structural support and crush resistance
2Strength
If hard-sided containers are used, then structural support and waterproofing are improved, but volume flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The container incorporates expandable and collapsible mechanisms allowing the volume to dynamically adjust between compact and expanded states, enabling the soft-sided container to adapt its volume to match the size of contents while maintaining structural integrity through rigid reinforcement elements
3Volume of stationary object
If hard-sided containers are used, then volume stability is improved, but portability and comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The container applies rigid structural elements selectively at critical locations (corners, edges, base) rather than making the entire container hard-sided, providing localized volume stability and crush resistance while maintaining overall soft-sided flexibility and light weight for easy portability
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 provides enhanced protection and temperature maintenance for contents by combining the flexibility of soft-sided containers with the structural support of hard-sided ones, allowing for adjustable volume and secure transportation of items.
Implementation Method 1
Soft sided carriers are typically constructed by placing a section of thermally insulating foam between two pieces of flexible fabric
Data Source
AI summary
A container assembly having an expandable insulated container and an expandable insert. The insert includes an open upper rigid portion having side panels and a lower rigid portion having side panels a bottom panel, and the upper and lower rigid portions are joined by a flexible medial portion.