Hinged Closure Mechanism for Portable Insulated Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable storage containers lack effective temperature control and versatile carrying options for maintaining perishable items in varying environmental conditions, and they often fail to provide adequate protection against damage and external elements during leisure or work activities.

Innovation Solution

A portable insulated storage container with a flexible outer shell, an inner liner, and a hingedly attached closure mechanism that maintains an open position without external force, along with adjustable straps for comfortable carrying, and optional insulation for temperature control, providing protection against damage, water, and external elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid closure mechanism is used to seal the opening, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidease of opening and closing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The closure mechanism transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic hinged system that can pivot between closed and open positions. The hinge joint enables controlled movement while maintaining sealing when closed, resolving the contradiction between rigid sealing and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge acts as an intermediary element between the rigid closure members, allowing them to move relative to each other while maintaining connection. This mediator enables easy opening/closing operations while the closure members themselves remain rigid for effective sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If insulation is added to maintain temperature control, then the temperature stability is improved, but the weight of the container increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoidcontainer weight

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses flexible insulation layers positioned between the inner and outer liners. These thin film-like insulation structures provide thermal protection without adding excessive weight, allowing temperature control while maintaining portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The container employs composite construction with multiple layers including inner liner, insulation material, and outer liner. This composite structure integrates thermal insulation functionality while distributing weight across the entire container system rather than concentrating it in one heavy component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If the closure mechanism is made from rigid material for durability, then the strength is improved, but the flexibility for comfortable carrying deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure mechanism durabilityVSAvoidcarrying flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The closure mechanism is segmented into multiple rigid members connected by hinges, allowing the structure to be both strong and adaptable. Each segment maintains rigidity for durability while the connections between segments provide the necessary flexibility for comfortable carrying and positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid closure members are made dynamic through hinged connections, enabling the closure mechanism to adapt to different carrying positions and user needs while maintaining structural strength and durability during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 effectively maintains temperature control for perishable items, offers versatile carrying options, and protects contents from damage and external elements, enhancing usability in various activities such as hiking, camping, and hunting.

Implementation Method 1

The portable insulated storage container may also contain insulation positioned between the inner liner and the outer liner for thermally insulating the internal storage volume

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS20190270571A1Portable storage container

Publication Date: 2019.09.05 OTTER PRODUCTS LLC

AI summary

A portable insulated storage container comprises an outer layer and an inner liner positioned inside the outer layer. The inner liner defining an internal storage volume inside the portable insulated storage container. Insulation is positioned between the inner liner and the outer layer. A closable opening extends through the outer layer and the inner liner for accessing the internal storage volume from outside the portable insulated storage container. A closure mechanism has a first rigid member hingedly attached to a second rigid member for permitting access to the internal storage volume through the closable opening and for closing the closable opening. The closure mechanism extends around a perimeter of the closable opening. The rigid members each extend around respective portions of the perimeter of the closable opening, pivot in opposite directions, and are in substantially a same plane when the closure mechanism is in the opened position.