Hinged Storage Container with Cover Magnet for Metal Mounting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Storage containers for small tools and accessories in the construction industry often lack convenient securing options at work sites and require dedicated display racks for retail display, limiting their usability and visibility.

Innovation Solution

A storage container design featuring a hinged cover that opens to a maximum angle of 60-120 degrees, equipped with a magnet on the cover or base for securing to metallic surfaces, and a blister assembly for display packaging that allows secure attachment to metallic structures using magnets, enabling convenient placement and attractive display without dedicated racks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a magnet is attached to the container base for securing to metallic surfaces, then the storage container can be secured to metallic surfaces, but the magnet may interfere with display packaging and mounting flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring capabilityVSAvoiddisplay packaging compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The magnet is segmented from the base and attached to the container cover instead, allowing the base to be freely packaged in display packaging while the magnet on the cover provides securing capability when the container is in use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The magnet is positioned on the container cover rather than the base, utilizing the vertical dimension and the outer surface of the cover to achieve securing functionality without interfering with the base's packaging requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the container cover opens to a wide angle for accessibility, then tools are easily accessible, but the container structure becomes less stable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool accessibilityVSAvoidcontainer stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge is designed to allow the container cover to open to a maximum angle of between sixty and one-hundred and twenty degrees, optimizing the balance between accessibility and stability by controlling the angular parameter of opening

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated racks are used for display of storage containers, then containers are visible and accessible, but work sites without convenient locations cannot accommodate them

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay capabilityVSAvoidmounting structure requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The securing function is extracted from the base and implemented via a magnet on the container cover, allowing the container to be mounted on metallic surfaces at work sites without requiring dedicated racks or complex mounting structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnet provides universal securing capability on any metallic surface, making the storage container adaptable to various work site environments without requiring specific rack installations

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

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 provides a secure, versatile storage and display solution for tool containers, allowing them to be easily attached to metallic surfaces and displayed without the need for dedicated racks, enhancing usability and visibility in both work and retail environments.

Implementation Method 1

a magnet fixed to the container cover and configured to secure the storage container to a metallic surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP2364820B1Storage container
Publication Date: 2020.01.22 BLACK & DECKER CORP
  • EP2364820B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2364820B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2364820B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A storage container comprises a container base (12), a container cover (14) hingedly coupled to the container base for pivotal displacement between an open position and a closed position, and a magnet (16) fixed to the container cover and configured to secure the storage container to a metallic surface. The container cover and the container base, when in the open position, are configured to open to a maximum angle of between sixty and one-hundred and twenty degrees.