Flexible Inner Waste Container Nested in Rigid Outer Shell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current waste management systems lack efficient solutions for small-scale waste separation and handling at the consumer level, where waste is initially collected and transferred to bins, which hinders effective recycling and resource recovery.
Innovation Solution
A reusable waste receptacle design featuring an inner flexible container with a collapsible section and a rigid outer container, where the inner container can be easily emptied by pressing its closed bottom end through the open top end and returned to its original position, facilitating source separation and easy emptying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible waste container is used without a rigid support structure, then the container is easy to collapse and store, but the container cannot maintain its shape and position during use
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible inner container is nested within the rigid outer container, allowing the flexible container to be supported by the rigid structure during use while being easily collapsible and storable within the rigid container when empty
Solution Approach 2:
The inner container is made of flexible material that can be easily collapsed and stored, while the outer container provides rigid structural support to maintain shape and position during waste collection
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid waste container is used to maintain shape and structure, then the container maintains its form during use, but the container is difficult to collapse and store
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible inner container is nested within the rigid outer container, allowing the flexible container to be supported by the rigid structure during use while being easily collapsible and storable within the rigid container when empty
Solution Approach 2:
The waste container system is divided into two separate components: a rigid outer container for structural support and a flexible inner container for waste holding, allowing each component to fulfill its specific function optimally
3Ease of operation
If waste is collected in mixed fractions at the consumer level, then collection is simple, but recycling efficiency and resource recovery are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The waste container system is divided into two separate components: a rigid outer container for structural support and a flexible inner container for waste holding, allowing each component to fulfill its specific function optimally
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible inner container can be easily removed, emptied, and returned to its original position, facilitating the recovery and separation of different waste fractions for recycling
Data Source
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Figure 5a~5f
AI summary
A reusable waste receptacle (10) comprising an inner flexible container (12) having an open top end (14) and a closed bottom end (16), and a rigid outer container (18). A collapsible section (20) is provided between said open top end (14) and said closed bottom end (16) and said open top end (14) is enclosed by an attachment section (22). A rigid supporting collar (24) is arranged to attach said attachment section (22) to said rigid outer container (18). The reusable waste receptacle (10) is emptied by pressing said closed bottom end (16) towards and past said open top end (14) while maintaining said open top end (14) in a fixed position in said rigid outer container (18), and then pulling said closed bottom end (16) towards and past said open top end (14) while maintaining said open top end (14) in a fixed position in said rigid outer container (18).