Floating Storage Container With Foam Inserts for Open-Water Buoyancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ammunition storage containers designed to be waterproof, dustproof, and impact resistant often sink when open due to the weight of water and contents outweighing the container's buoyancy.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating foam inserts that frictionally retain items, allowing the container to float even when fully loaded and in an open state, with buoyancy provided by the selection of materials and design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the container is designed to be waterproof, dustproof, and impact resistant with heavy-duty construction, then protection and durability are improved, but the container sinks when open because the weight of water and contents outweighs the buoyancy
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into a rigid outer shell for protection and separate foam inserts for buoyancy and item retention. The foam inserts are positioned to provide buoyant force without compromising the protective function of the outer shell.
Solution Approach 2:
The container combines rigid protective materials (for waterproof and impact resistance) with foam materials (for buoyancy). This composite structure allows the container to maintain both protection and buoyancy simultaneously, solving the contradiction between strength and floating capability.
2Reliability
If foam inserts are added to provide buoyancy and frictional retention, then the container can float when open and items are secured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foam inserts serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide buoyancy to keep the container afloat, create frictional retention to secure items during transport, and can be molded to fit various item shapes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 container remains buoyant and floats even when submerged, ensuring items remain secure and do not get lost, addressing the sinking issue of conventional containers.
Implementation Method 1
the inventor's storage container can float, even when fully loaded with the intended ammunition
Implementation Method 2
foam inserts into which various items, for example, ammunition, may be stored and frictionally retained
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a squared away container comprising a top shell, a bottom shell pivotally connected to the top shell, and an insert in the top shell, the insert being configured to frictionally retain a plurality of items, wherein the squared away container is configured to float on water even after complete submersion in water and even when fully loaded with the plurality of items.