Modular Container Frame With Interchangeable Product Cavities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container systems are costly due to the need for unique tooling and inventory management, as they are often designed to accommodate multiple products with different processing requirements, leading to material inefficiencies and constraints on product combinations.
Innovation Solution
A modular container assembly with a frame and interchangeable containers, where each container is configured to fit within openings in the frame, allowing for independent selection of materials and shapes based on product-specific needs, enabling flexible packaging and processing configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If uniform material selection is used for all sidewalls in a container system, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but cost-effectiveness deteriorates when different products have varying processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The container system is divided into a modular frame structure and separate portable containers. Each portable container can be independently manufactured from materials optimized for its specific product requirements, while the frame provides a standardized structural platform. This segmentation allows different materials to be used for different containers without complicating the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portable containers within the same system can be made from different materials based on their specific requirements. For example, containers holding products requiring heat resistance can be made from heat-resistant materials, while others can be made from more cost-effective materials. Each container is locally optimized for its specific function while maintaining compatibility with the overall frame structure.
2Device complexity
If independent sidewall shapes are not provided, then structural simplicity is maintained, but product storage flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the structural frame from the portable containers, allowing each container to have its own optimized shape and size tailored to its specific product. The frame provides a standardized interface, but the containers themselves can vary in geometry to accommodate different storage and processing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable containers are designed to be removable and replaceable within the frame structure. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to different product storage requirements by simply swapping containers, without requiring changes to the overall structural frame.
3Productivity
If uniform container processing is applied to all products, then process simplicity is maintained, but product quality deteriorates when products have different processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the container into a permanent frame structure and removable portable containers. Each portable container can be independently processed according to its specific product requirements before being placed in the frame. This allows different processing treatments for different products without complicating the overall system operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable containers can be removed from the frame for independent processing, allowing products to receive specialized treatments tailored to their specific requirements. After processing, the containers can be returned to the frame for storage or further handling, separating the processing function from the storage function.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular container assembly is provided for packaging a plurality of products. The modular container assembly includes a frame and a portable container. The frame includes a plurality of edge portions that define a plurality of openings. The container includes a sidewall that defines a cavity. The container is sealable at a rim portion of the sidewall to retain a product within the cavity. The container is configured to fit within a first opening of the plurality of openings such that the rim portion is removably coupled to a first edge portion of the plurality of edge portions.