Gardening Tool Storage Container with Segmented Shelf

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gardening tools and kits lack a convenient storage solution, leading to disorganization and exposure to atmospheric agents, and their packaging is often expensive, wasteful, and not environmentally friendly.

Innovation Solution

A container with a compartmentalized design featuring a shelf for tool storage, a window for easy transport, and attachment means for suspended positioning, allowing all components of the irrigation kit to be housed in a single, flexible, and attractive package.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If gardening tools are stored in a toolbox with mechanical tools and hardware, then storage capacity is improved, but ease of finding tools deteriorates because they are hidden by other items

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidease of finding tools
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into multiple compartments (first compartment, second compartment, third compartment) that can accommodate different types of gardening tools separately. This segmentation allows tools to be organized by type or frequency of use, making them easily locatable while maintaining efficient storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If gardening tools are placed in an open space for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to exposure to atmospheric agents causing discolouration and damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of accessVSAvoidprotection from atmospheric agents
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container features a removable cover that can be transparent or translucent, providing protection from atmospheric agents while maintaining visibility of the tools inside. This allows users to easily locate tools without removing the cover, and the protective shell prevents discolouration and damage from environmental exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional transparent plastic packaging is used for gardening kits, then ease of manufacture is improved, but loss of substance increases due to expensive packaging and plastic waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging productionVSAvoidplastic waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The container serves multiple functions: it acts as packaging for retail display, provides protective storage during transport, and becomes a permanent storage solution after purchase. This eliminates the need for separate packaging materials, reducing plastic waste while maintaining ease of manufacture through a single molded plastic component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging container and storage container are merged into a single unit. The container is designed to be both the packaging medium and the final storage solution, eliminating the need for additional packaging layers and reducing material consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If the container needs to be easily transportable, then ease of operation is improved, but strength deteriorates if the container is made lightweight

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetransportabilityVSAvoidprotection from impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The container is made from a single piece of molded plastic that provides an optimal balance between weight and strength. The molding process creates a structurally sound container with appropriate wall thicknesses and reinforcement features, achieving sufficient impact protection while maintaining light weight for easy transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4252526B1Container for at least one gardening tool and related gardening kit
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 EXEL INDUSTRIES
  • EP4252526B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP4252526B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3B'
  • EP4252526B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4C

AI summary

Container 1, for at least one gardening tool 102, comprising a box-shaped body 2, having a bottom 3 and a perimetral wall 4 connected to the bottom 3, defining a compartment V therein, for the containment of at least one gardening tool 102. Said box-shaped body 2 has, on a side 21, at least one shelf 5, connected to the perimetral wall 4, comprising at least one recess 6, defining a seat for the reversible coupling of at least one gardening tool 102, adapted to allow a temporary placement, in connection with the container 2, of said at least one gardening tool 102 during the non-use thereof. A further object of the present invention is a gardening kit 100 comprising the container 1 and a gardening tool 102 reversibly connectable to the recess 6 obtained on the shelf 5 of the box-shaped body 2.