Nested Lid Containers With Suction Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional containers such as bowls, trays, and cups are not securely attachable to surfaces and occupy space when stored, lacking efficient storage solutions.
Innovation Solution
The development of nested lid containers with suction-type elements, such as suction cups, and secure fitting mechanisms like snap or friction fits, allowing the containers to be securely attached to surfaces and nested for space-efficient storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional containers are used, then they are simple in structure and easy to manufacture, but they cannot be securely attached to surfaces and occupy excessive storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by configuring the lid container to be insertable into the main container, with the lid container's outer dimensions being smaller than the main container's inner dimensions. This allows the lid to nest within the main container when not in use, eliminating storage space occupation while maintaining secure attachment functionality through suction cups and sealing mechanisms
2Area of stationary object
If conventional containers are used, then they have simple structure, but they occupy space when stored and are not securable to surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The lid container is designed with dimensions that allow it to nest within the main container, specifically with the lid's outer diameter and height being smaller than the main container's inner diameter and depth. This nesting capability reduces the storage footprint to essentially the volume of the main container alone, significantly improving storage efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the lid and main container into a unified storage system where the lid serves dual purposes: as a functional lid when attached and as a nested storage component when removed. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate storage space for the lid, thereby maximizing storage efficiency
3Reliability
If suction-type elements are added to containers, then secure attachment to surfaces is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cups are designed to be self-activating through simple pressure application. When the user presses the container against a surface, the suction cups automatically create a vacuum seal without requiring additional mechanisms, motors, or complex activation systems. This self-service approach provides reliable surface attachment while minimizing the increase in device complexity
4Productivity
If nested lid containers with suction elements are used, then storage efficiency and attachment security are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves the nested configuration by carefully controlling dimensional parameters - specifically ensuring the lid container's outer dimensions are smaller than the main container's inner dimensions. This parameter-based approach allows standard manufacturing processes to produce the nested structure without requiring complex assembly steps or specialized manufacturing equipment, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving improved storage efficiency
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
The nested lid containers provide secure attachment to surfaces and efficient storage by using suction-type elements and secure fitting mechanisms, creating a space-saving solution for containers like bowls and trays.
Implementation Method 1
a suction-type element located on a second surface of the bottom opposite the first surface, the suction-type element configured to selectively adhere the first container to a surface
Implementation Method 2
The first container is secured within the second container by a friction fit, the friction fit creating a seal that is substantially airtight
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods are presented for nesting lid containers. An apparatus includes a first container that includes a bottom, at least one container side wall located perpendicular to a first surface of the bottom and extending from the first surface of the bottom to an open top to form a container, at least one divider side wall configured to partition the container into a plurality of sections, and a suction-type element located on a second surface of the bottom opposite the first surface, the suction-type element configured to selectively adhere the first container to a surface. An apparatus includes a second container that is configured to receive the at least one container side wall of the first container and selectively be secured to the first container such that the second container acts as a lid for the first container.