Interchangeable Container Assembly for Space-Efficient Nesting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Base and lid containers used in the food preparation and restaurant industry occupy significant space and can become imbalanced due to discrepancies in the ratio of lids to bases, making storage and assembly inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A container assembly comprising interchangeable shell components made from eco-friendly materials like plastic and molded fiber, which can be easily locked and unlocked to form various configurations, allowing for versatile use and efficient storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If separate base and lid containers are used, then container functionality is maintained, but storage space footprint increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage space footprintVSAvoidcontainer configuration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate base and lid containers into a single integrated container assembly where the lid is permanently attached to the base, eliminating the need to store separate components while maintaining complete container functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated container assembly serves multiple functions: it provides complete containerization, enables nesting for space-efficient storage, and maintains structural integrity without requiring separate base and lid components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate bases and lids are stored independently, then assembly is flexible, but stock ratio imbalance occurs when components are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestock ratio balanceVSAvoidassembly convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By permanently attaching the lid to the base, the invention eliminates the risk of losing individual components and maintaining stock ratios, while the integrated design remains easy to handle and assemble.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If traditional base and lid containers are used, then packaging functionality is provided, but storage efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoidstorage space occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated container assemblies can be nested within each other when empty, allowing for compact storage and significantly reducing the space required to store multiple containers in a kitchen or storage area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20240116675A1Container assembly

Publication Date: 2024.04.11 DIRECT PACK INC

AI summary

A container assembly including a first and second component. The first component includes a first base, a first plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the first base, and a first lip extending outwardly around a perimeter of the first plurality side walls. The second component includes a second base, a second plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the second base, and a second lip extending outwardly around a perimeter of the second plurality of side walls. The first and second components are convertible between at least a spaced configuration, a first locked configuration, and a second locked configuration. The first and second components are completely separate from one another in the spaced configuration and define an interior in the first and second locked configurations. An orientation of at least one the first and second components is different in the first and second locked configurations.