Insulated Container Drawer Design to Prevent Moisture Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable insulated containers, such as coolers, face issues where cooling agents like ice or reusable packs can cause items in the container to become wet due to defrosting or melting, leading to dampness, mess, and potential damage, especially when the cooling agent's moisture or condensation affects items in separate compartments.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a main chamber and a separate drawer chamber within the insulated container, where the cooling agent is placed in the main chamber, and the drawer chamber is designed to receive a drawer that can be slidably positioned vertically below the main chamber, allowing the cooling agent to cool items in the drawer without direct contact, thus preventing moisture transfer and maintaining effective cooling by keeping compartments isolated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the cooling agent is placed directly in the same chamber as the items, then the cooling effect is improved, but the items become wet due to moisture from the cooling agent
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber for the cooling agent and a second chamber for the items. This segmentation allows the cooling agent to cool the items through the wall without direct contact, preventing moisture damage while maintaining the cooling effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall separating the first chamber (cooling agent) and second chamber (items) acts as an intermediary medium. It allows thermal energy to pass through for cooling while blocking moisture from reaching the items.
2Ease of operation
If the drawer is made movable for easy access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the seal may be broken exposing contents to ambient temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer is designed to be movable between extended and retracted positions, allowing users to access items without opening the main container. This dynamic design improves ease of operation while the seal between the drawer and container body maintains cooling performance when the drawer is closed.
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
This configuration prevents items in the drawer from becoming wet due to the cooling agent's moisture, maintains effective cooling by isolating compartments, and allows access to either chamber without breaking the seal of the other, thus prolonging the cooling performance and preventing accidental exposure to ambient temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
The horizontal substantially planar wall... is configured to allow the cooling agent in the main chamber to cool the one or more second items contained in the drawer
Implementation Method 2
left, right, front, and back sidewalls that define walls the main chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Various systems, devices, and methods for insulated containers with a drawer are provided. In general, an insulated container, such as a portable cooler, includes a drawer. The insulated container includes a main chamber and includes a drawer chamber that is separate from the main chamber and is configured to movably receive the drawer therein. The main chamber is configured to hold a cooling agent that is configured to cool any items in the main chamber and also any items in the drawer. The insulated container can be manufactured using injection molding.