Container system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable storage containers lack flexibility in temperature control and configuration, making it difficult to maintain perishable items at desired temperatures during transport and storage, especially in varying ambient conditions, and fail to securely hold ice packs and contents during shipping.
Innovation Solution
A portable storage container system featuring a configurable insulated body with dividers and projections that fit into specific grooves, allowing for adjustable orientations and configurations to create separate temperature-controlled sections, and an insulated shell that can be folded for compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ice packs are placed in the interior portion of a storage container to maintain desired temperature, then temperature control is improved, but the container contents may shift during transport and ice packs may not be securely held
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container is divided into multiple compartments using dividers, creating separate sections for ice packs and for storing contents. This segmentation allows ice packs to be securely positioned in dedicated spaces while preventing contents from shifting during transport, simultaneously achieving temperature control and security.
2Reliability
If the storage container is designed with fixed configuration to securely hold items, then security during transport is improved, but the ability to reconfigure for different uses is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container employs removable and repositionable dividers that can be dynamically adjusted between different configurations. The dividers can be inserted into various positions within the container body, allowing the same container to be reconfigured for different storage needs while maintaining security during transport through proper positioning.
3Reliability
If dividers are added to separate contents into groups, then organization and security are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dividers are designed to serve multiple functions: they separate contents into organized groups, provide structural support to prevent shifting, create defined spaces for ice packs, and can be repositioned for different configuration needs. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, managing complexity while achieving organization and security.
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 system effectively maintains items at desired temperatures, securely holds ice packs and contents, and allows for versatile configurations to accommodate different storage needs, ensuring the integrity and freshness of perishable goods during transport and storage.
Implementation Method 1
A portable storage container includes a first divider and an insulated body. The insulated body has an internal cavity configured for storing items
Data Source
AI summary
A storage container system for storing items includes a tote, an insulated shell with a lid. The insulated shell is configured for receiving the tote. The insulated shell includes a base and a plurality of side walls and is foldable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration such that the tote fits inside the insulated shell when the insulated shell is in the expanded configuration. The lid is configured for closing the tote inside the insulated shell when the insulated shell is in the expanded configuration.