Modular Storage Container Covers for Labels, Separation, and Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers face inefficiencies in storing diverse retail-packaged products due to varying package sizes and configurations, leading to space wastage and challenges in retaining product information, managing partial containers, and ensuring food freshness through airflow.
Innovation Solution
Container systems with modular designs that include a container cover to hold product labels, a sub-container for separating old and new products, and stand-offs on lids to facilitate airflow and efficient stacking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If consumers store products in their original retail packaging, then product information is easily accessible, but shelf and counter space is used inefficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the storage function from the labeling function by placing labels in dedicated pockets on the container rather than keeping them attached to the original retail packaging. This segmentation allows efficient space utilization while maintaining information accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The label pockets are integrated into the container structure itself, with labels being stored within designated compartments of the container. This nesting approach consolidates both storage and information retention functions into a single efficient unit.
2Area of stationary object
If consumers decant product into storage containers to save space, then shelf space efficiency improves, but product information becomes difficult to access
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts labels from the original retail packaging and provides a dedicated home for them within the storage container structure. This extraction resolves the conflict by separating labels from the product while providing them a designated accessible location.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a storage vessel for the product and as an organized holder for product information labels. This universal design eliminates the need to choose between space efficiency and information accessibility.
3Loss of time
If consumers store backup containers of the same product, then they can refill without interruption, but additional space is consumed in crowded pantries
Solution Approach 1:
The container system is designed to be dynamically refillable, allowing users to easily add new product to existing containers. This dynamic design eliminates the need for rigid backup container storage by enabling continuous top-up of the same container.
4Area of stationary object
If consumers stack containers of warm food for storage, then space efficiency improves, but airflow is blocked and food freshness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The container design incorporates localized airflow features at specific positions (such as near the lid or base) that enable air circulation even when containers are stacked. This local quality approach maintains food freshness while preserving the space efficiency of stacked storage.
Data Source
AI summary
Pursuant to some embodiments, a container system includes a container housing having a bottom and a plurality of integrally connected walls, the bottom and walls having an interior face defining an interior holding area of the container housing and an outwardly facing exterior face; and a container cover coupled to the exterior face of at least one of the plurality of walls, the container cover having a bottom wall, pair of opposing sidewalls, and a face panel integrally connected to the bottom wall and sidewalls of the container cover; and an interior surface of the face panel opposite and spaced apart from the exterior face of the at least one of the plurality of walls, the interior surface of the face panel and the exterior face of the at least one of the plurality of walls defining a void therebetween.