Modular container holder with collapsible basket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage racks and shelves are inflexible and unsuitable for containers of diverse shapes and sizes, often obstructing vertical stacking and lacking consistent alignment, leading to inefficient space use and storage challenges.
Innovation Solution
A modular container holder with a collapsible basket portion and magnet mounting system that can be detachably secured to a vertical surface, allowing for flexible configuration, obstruction-free stacking, and reduced storage requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional racks and shelves are used to store containers, then storage function is provided, but the structure is fixed in size and shape and cannot be reconfigured to suit specific storage needs
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into multiple modular holders that can be independently configured and arranged. Each holder is a separate unit with standardized dimensions, allowing them to be combined in various configurations to suit different storage needs while maintaining structural simplicity at the component level.
Solution Approach 2:
The holders are designed with movable and adjustable components, including repositionable baskets and adjustable mounting positions, enabling the storage system to dynamically adapt to changing storage requirements rather than being fixed in a static configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional shelves are used, then storage capacity is provided, but they occupy significant amounts of space making them difficult to store when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The modular holders are designed to nest within each other when not in use, with collapsible baskets that can be folded into the holder body. This nesting capability significantly reduces the volume occupied during storage while maintaining full storage capacity when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The baskets and holder components incorporate collapsible and expandable mechanisms that allow the structure to transition between a compact stored state and an expanded operational state, optimizing space utilization throughout the product lifecycle.
3Area of stationary object
If repositionable holders are stacked vertically, then space utilization is improved, but holders in the stack are obstructed by holders positioned above
Solution Approach 1:
The holder design incorporates three-dimensional spatial optimization with strategically positioned openings and gaps that allow vertical stacking while maintaining horizontal and diagonal access paths. This multi-dimensional approach to spatial arrangement enables compact vertical stacking without compromising accessibility to containers in any holder position.
4Adaptability or versatility
If existing repositionable holders are used, then reconfigurability is provided, but they lack consistent alignment between multiple holders resulting in haphazard arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The holders incorporate universal alignment features including standardized mounting holes, guide rails, and interlocking mechanisms that ensure consistent and precise alignment when multiple holders are installed together. These standardized interfaces maintain structural integrity and visual uniformity across the entire storage system.
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 storage and organization of containers of varying shapes and sizes without obstructing insertion or removal, while minimizing storage and packaging needs through its collapsible design and consistent alignment of multiple holders.
Implementation Method 1
the backing panel has a magnet mounting means adapted to detachably secure a modular container holder upon the vertical mounting surface
Data Source
AI summary
A modular container holder comprising a backing panel and a collapsible basket portion, the backing panel has a magnetic mounting means adapted to detachably secure the modular container holder to a vertical mounting surface, the basket portion projects forwardly from the backing panel and is adapted to receive and retain a container. The basket portion has a plurality of movable basket elements which allow the basket portion to be alternatively placed in an assembled state to receive the container, and a collapsed state which reduces the amount of space occupied by the modular container holder. A contiguous modular arrangement of multiple modular containers positioned in column or row configurations allows multiple containers to be stored, while the basket portion is tilted forwardly to prevent the obstruction of basket openings when the modular container holders are vertically stacked in the column configuration.