Insulated Container with Frontal Nozzle Access Door

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for portable water dispensing are either expensive, impractical, or lack convenience and sanitation, particularly for individual or group use outside designated areas, and fail to provide a multipurpose insulated container for both water dispensing and food storage.

Innovation Solution

A portable multipurpose insulated container with a frontal nozzle access door, magnetic closure, and rubber skid strips, capable of storing a commercially available water container and converting to a cooler mode for food and beverages, incorporating a cup support and spill reservoir to prevent spills during water dispensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a portable water dispensing unit is created, then convenience and accessibility of water are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of water dispensingVSAvoidcomplexity of dispensing unit

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulated container is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a water dispensing unit and a food/beverage cooler. The same container body, lid, and insulation structure are used for both purposes, eliminating the need for separate dedicated water dispenser equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses self-contained components including a spill reservoir that automatically captures overflow, a magnetic door closure that self-latches, and a tilt-adjustable bottle support that requires no external power or complex mechanisms. The container itself provides insulation without requiring external cooling equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a water dispensing unit is provided, then water accessibility is improved, but cost of equipment and maintenance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of waterVSAvoidcost of equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The insulated container serves dual purposes as both a water dispenser and a food/beverage cooler, eliminating the need to purchase and maintain separate dedicated water dispenser equipment. This multi-functionality reduces overall equipment costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses commercially available, inexpensive components such as standard insulated containers, simple plastic or metal lids, and basic magnetic closures. These are replaced or refreshed easily rather than investing in expensive specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If a frontal nozzle access door is added, then ease of water dispensing is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to nozzleVSAvoidcomplexity of access mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The door closure uses a magnetic latch mechanism that automatically holds the door closed and releases when opened, replacing complex mechanical locking systems. The magnet provides reliable holding force without requiring keys, codes, or complex latches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzle access door is positioned on the front of the container, extracting the water dispensing function from the top opening. This allows users to access water without opening the main lid, improving convenience while the simple hinge and magnetic closure keep the mechanism straightforward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If cup support and spill reservoir are incorporated, then prevention of water spillage is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of spillageVSAvoidcomplexity of support structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spill reservoir is positioned to automatically capture any overflow or spillage before it can cause problems. The cup support structure is designed with inherent stability features that prevent tipping and accidental spills during water dispensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The cup support and spill reservoir are integrated into a single assembled unit that fits within the container. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components while providing both cup holding and spill capture capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

5Adaptability or versatility

If the container can convert between cooler mode and dispenser mode, then versatility is improved, but ease of assembly and disassembly is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultipurpose functionalityVSAvoidease of assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bottle support rack is designed to be tilt-adjustable and removable, allowing the container to dynamically switch between dispenser mode (with tilted support) and cooler mode (with support removed or flattened). This dynamic adjustment enables versatility without requiring complex permanent structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The container is divided into separable components including the removable lid, adjustable bottle support rack, and spill reservoir assembly. This segmentation allows easy reconfiguration between modes and simplifies assembly and disassembly for cleaning or storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Provides a convenient, affordable, and sanitary water dispensing solution that can also function as a cooler, with easy assembly and disassembly, using readily available water containers and ice packs, while resembling a common insulated cooler.

Implementation Method 1

a frontally position nozzle or spigot access door with magnetic closure function

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic closure: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

rubber skid strips on the bottom outer surface of the cooler body to prevent excessive and undesired movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

portable multipurpose food and beverage insulated container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS8313007B2Portable multipurpose food and beverage insulated container and insulated water dispensing alternative

Publication Date: 2012.11.20 KPABAR THOMAS KOLACO

AI summary

The portable multipurpose food and beverage insulated container and water dispensing alternative consists of the cooler body, a press fit top lid, a content support assemblage, a cup support assemblage, a nozzle access door and rubber skid strips. The cooler body is a rigid plastic multilayer housing with thermal insulator foam deposited between the general plainer outer shell and inner shell for reducing heat transfer through the cooler body. The press fit lid covers the top of the cooler body. The plastic content support assemblage supports the weight of the unit's contents in one of two possible orientations and collects condensate from the ice pack and or content defrosting. The cup support assemblage seats cups on a level surface and captures spills during water dispensing. The nozzle access door positioned on the frontal face of the cooler body opens to allow access to the water container's nozzle.