Insulated Container Support to Keep Food Above Melted Ice
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ice chests often cause food items to become inedible as they sink into melted ice water, leading to spoilage, and existing solutions do not effectively keep food above the ice level while being cost-effective and reliable.
Innovation Solution
A removable support with inflatable semi-cylindrical ridges and apertures that separates melted ice water from food items, allowing it to drain below, while maintaining the ice above, using a flexible and stretchable material for the support and a method of inflation or liquid freezing to manage internal pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If food is placed directly on ice in the ice chest, then the food is kept cool, but the food sinks into melted ice water and becomes soaked and inedible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a support structure as an intermediary element between the food and the melted ice water. This support keeps the food elevated above the ice water level while maintaining proximity to the ice for cooling, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of cooling effectiveness and food protection from water contact
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a vertical dimension to the food placement by using elevated supports. Instead of food lying flat on the ice surface, the food is positioned at a higher vertical level, creating a three-dimensional arrangement that separates food from ice water while maintaining thermal contact with ice
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a support structure is added to keep food above ice water, then food spoilage is prevented, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple discrete support elements rather than a single complex structure. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing, allows for easier assembly, and reduces material costs while still achieving the function of elevating food above ice water
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible support materials that can be manufactured as thin, lightweight structures. These flexible supports achieve the required elevation function with minimal material usage, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining effectiveness
3Shape
If a rigid support structure is used to elevate food, then food is kept above ice water, but the device complexity and manufacturing expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed to be flexible and adaptable rather than rigid and fixed. This dynamic design allows the support to conform to different ice chest configurations and food arrangements, reducing structural complexity while maintaining the elevation function
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure utilizes materials and designs that can change their physical parameters (such as flexibility, height, or configuration) to adapt to different conditions. This reduces the need for complex adjustable mechanisms while maintaining effective food elevation
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
Effectively keeps food items dry and above the melted ice level, preventing spoilage while being manufactured at a modest expense and ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
The support further preferably has a first input port disposed along the outer surface of the first cylindrical-sectional ridge for exchange of either gas or liquid to form and release internal pressures within the hollow bladder
Implementation Method 2
The flexible and stretchable material of the bladder may comprise a resting size such that when the bladder is filled with liquid water and the seal is closed, the liquid water may be frozen and the material stretches to contain the expanded volume of the frozen water
Data Source
AI summary
The insulated container having an internal support to separate ice, food, and drinks from melted ice water or liquids to prevent damage to the dry items. The dry items are placed on top of the flat upper surface of the removable support. The removable support may include apertures that allow melting ice water to drain past the top surface and through the apertures of the removable support.