Soft-sided insulated container lid with rigid work surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Soft-sided insulated containers often require two hands to open, leading to heat loss or gain, and lack a convenient, stable, and washable surface for resting objects, especially when used in outdoor settings where the surface may be uneven.

Innovation Solution

A soft-sided insulated container with a collapsible design featuring a rigid work surface integrated into the lid, allowing one-handed operation and providing a stable, washable, and non-slip surface for objects, while maintaining thermal insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a zipper closure is used around three sides of the container, then the container can be sealed effectively, but it requires two hands to open and causes heat loss or gain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidoperation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The closure system is divided into two independent parts: a main zipper closure for sealing and a snap-fit lid for access. This segmentation allows the container to maintain effective sealing when closed while enabling one-handed opening through the simpler snap-fit mechanism, resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the full main closure is opened to fill the container, then access is convenient, but heat loss or gain occurs more rapidly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess convenienceVSAvoidheat loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid work surface is mounted on the container, then objects can be rested stably, but it may obstruct movement to folded or collapsed position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface stabilityVSAvoidcollapsibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The work surface is designed as a collapsible component that can be deployed when the container is in use and folded away when the container needs to be collapsed for storage or transport. This dynamic design allows the surface to provide stability during use while not preventing the container from being folded or collapsed when needed, resolving the contradiction between surface stability and collapsibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid work surface is used, then objects are less prone to wobble or tip, but it complicates the container structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject stabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The work surface is constructed from flexible, thin materials such as rigidized foam or plastic panels that can be easily integrated into the container lid or top surface. These materials provide sufficient rigidity to prevent objects from wobbling or tipping while adding minimal structural complexity to the overall container design, resolving the contradiction between object stability and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Enables efficient one-handed operation, reduces heat transfer, and provides a stable and easy-to-clean surface for objects, enhancing usability in various outdoor conditions without compromising insulation.

Implementation Method 1

soft-sided insulated container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS10138048B2Soft-sided insulated container with lid fitting

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 CALIFORNIA INNOVATIONS

AI summary

A soft-sided insulated container assembly has a generally box-shaped form like a school lunch box, having a main body and a lid. The lid is formed of one of the largest panels of the box-structure, and is joined to the main body of the box by a hinge that lets the lid lie flat next to the main body when the box is open. The inside face of the lid then defines a work surface on which to place objects such as foodstuffs and beverages. The work surface may be formed in a substantially rigid molded stiffener member, and may be divided into sub-regions with raised retainers to discourage sliding of objects where not precisely level. The container assembly may include a rigid internal liner with which the lid may mate zipperlessly. The mating portion of the lid may be formed in the same rigid member as the work surface.