Insulating Container With Pivoting, Removable Soft-Shelled Lid

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional insulating containers, such as coolers, have limited accessibility and are difficult to clean due to their fixed hinged lids, which restrict access and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

An insulating container with a soft-shelled lid that can pivot in two directions and be fully detached, featuring a latching mechanism that secures the lid to the outer body ring, allowing for enhanced accessibility and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed hinged lid is used in traditional insulating containers, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the accessibility and flexibility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidlatching mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lid assembly is segmented into separable components: the lid body and the latching mechanism are designed to be detachable from each other. This allows the lid to be removed entirely from the container body, providing full accessibility while maintaining structural simplicity when closed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The latching mechanism incorporates movable elements including a pivotable latch arm and a spring-loaded button that enables dynamic operation. The latch arm can pivot between engaged and disengaged positions, allowing the lid to transition from a fixed closed state to a fully removable open state, enhancing flexibility without requiring complex hinges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a fixed hinged lid is used, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the ease of cleaning and maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning and maintenanceVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lid assembly is segmented into separable components: the lid body and the latching mechanism are designed to be detachable from each other. This allows the lid to be removed entirely from the container body, providing full accessibility while maintaining structural simplicity when closed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The latching mechanism is extracted as a separate removable component from the lid body. The latch arm is attached to the lid but can be completely detached by pressing the release button, allowing the lid to be taken off entirely for cleaning without leaving any fixed mechanical attachments that would trap food particles or require disassembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a single-direction hinged lid is used, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the flexibility in different usage scenarios deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidlatching mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The latching mechanism incorporates movable elements including a pivotable latch arm and a spring-loaded button that enables dynamic operation. The latch arm can pivot between engaged and disengaged positions, allowing the lid to transition from a fixed closed state to a fully removable open state, enhancing flexibility without requiring complex hinges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The latching mechanism serves multiple functions: it secures the lid when closed, allows controlled opening by pivoting the latch arm, and enables complete removal of the lid by pressing the release button. This multi-functionality provides adaptability for various usage scenarios including carrying, serving, and cleaning without requiring multiple separate mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250250068A1Insulating container

Publication Date: 2025.08.07 DOMETIC APPLIANCES

AI summary

An insulating container includes a plurality of walls defining an outer body member, an outer body ring disposed about the outer body member, a base member that supports the outer body member, a liner disposed within and spaced apart from the plurality of walls, an internal cavity defined by the inner liner, a soft-shelled lid releasably and pivotably coupled to the outer body member to move between an open position in which the internal cavity of the insulating container is accessible and a closed position in which a seal is formed between the soft-shelled lid and the outer body member, a lid ring disposed about the soft-shelled lid, a latching member that secures the lid ring to the outer body ring, wherein the lid may be pivoted from either of two sides or released from the outer body ring.