Nested Sub-Container Storage System for FIFO Inventory Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficiency in storing a variety of dry food products and spices due to different package sizes and configurations leads to suboptimal use of storage space and challenges in maintaining a 'first-in, first-out' inventory rotation.
Innovation Solution
A container system comprising a main container and a collapsible sub-container that can accommodate different package sizes, allowing for efficient storage and separation of older and newer products while maintaining a consistent overall height, facilitating easy access and rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If products are stored in their original retail packaging with varied sizes and shapes, then product variety and brand differentiation are maintained, but storage space utilization becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing smaller sub-containers inside the main container. The main container has a larger interior space that can accommodate multiple sub-containers of varying sizes. Each sub-container holds different product packages, and they are arranged nested within the main container's interior, maximizing space utilization while maintaining product variety.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system is segmented into a main container and multiple sub-containers. Each sub-container can be independently configured to hold different product packages based on size and type. This segmentation allows flexible arrangement of various product sizes within the unified main container structure, improving both adaptability and space efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If newer product is kept separate from older product to facilitate FIFO rotation, then inventory management is improved, but the number and variety of packages in storage increases, further reducing storage efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system nests sub-containers within the main container to store both older and newer products. By placing sub-containers inside the main container's interior space, the design accommodates multiple product batches without requiring additional external storage locations, thus maintaining FIFO rotation capability while preserving storage efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by having sub-containers extend upward from the base of the main container. This vertical arrangement allows multiple product layers to be stacked within the same footprint, enabling separation of older and newer products in the vertical space rather than requiring additional horizontal storage area.
3Ease of operation
If multiple separate packages are used to store older and newer products, then inventory rotation is facilitated, but organization and accessibility become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The nested structure provides a unified organizational framework where sub-containers are systematically arranged within the main container. This hierarchical nesting creates a clear organizational structure that simplifies tracking and accessing different product batches, reducing the complexity associated with managing multiple separate storage packages.
Solution Approach 2:
The main container serves as a universal storage unit that can accommodate various types and sizes of sub-containers. This multi-functionality allows the same main container structure to organize different product categories and batches using a consistent organizational approach, simplifying the overall storage system rather than requiring different container types for different purposes.
4Volume of stationary object
If sub-containers are stored separately when not in use, then space is freed in the main container, but the need for additional storage locations for sub-containers arises
Solution Approach 1:
The design allows sub-containers to be nested within the main container when not in use. This nested storage capability means that even when a sub-container is removed for active use, it can be conveniently stored back within the main container's interior space, eliminating the need for separate storage locations and maintaining space efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the storage function of the main container and sub-containers by allowing sub-containers to be kept within the main container when not actively in use. This combining of storage functions eliminates the need for separate storage infrastructure for sub-containers, simplifying the overall system while maintaining space availability.
Data Source
AI summary
A container system or apparatus is provided which includes a main container having a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls integrally connected to the bottom wall, the bottom wall and sidewalls having an interior face defining a first interior holding area, a sub-container having a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls integrally connected to the bottom wall, the bottom wall of the sub-container and the sidewalls of the sub-container having an interior face defining a second interior holding area, and a lid formed to removably mate with a top portion of the sub-container to enclose the second interior holding area, the lid and the sub-container forming a structure formed to removably mate with a top portion of the main container to enclose the first interior holding area.