Disposable Waste Container Pedal Lid Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional waste disposal containers do not adequately address the health risks associated with contaminated waste, as they can still harbor pathogens like viruses and bacteria even after the plastic bag is removed, posing a risk to users.
Innovation Solution
A disposable container design featuring a pedal-activated lid mechanism, foldable sidewalls, and flexible members for expansion, which includes a hinge system and lines that allow for easy opening and closing, along with a rotatable access panel for enhanced usability and hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional waste container with a removable plastic bag is used, then the container can be emptied by removing the bag, but the container remains contaminated with pathogens and health hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle by making the entire container disposable rather than reusable. The container is designed to be discarded after a single use, eliminating the need to clean or decontaminate the container itself. This resolves the contradiction by transferring the contamination issue from a reusable container to a single-use container that is discarded with the waste, thereby eliminating pathogen persistence while maintaining ease of emptying.
2Productivity
If the plastic bag is removed to empty the container, then the container can be reused, but contact with contaminated waste exposes users to health hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates user exposure to pathogens by making the container disposable. Instead of reusing the container after removing the bag, the entire container is discarded after one use. This resolves the contradiction by sacrificing container reusability to completely eliminate pathogen exposure risk, as the container is never retained after waste removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the waste containment system into a disposable container portion and a reusable collection system. The container itself is disposable and discarded with the waste, while the overall system remains productive through continuous deployment of new containers. This segmentation allows the container to be single-use (eliminating exposure) while the system maintains high productivity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a pedal-activated lid mechanism is added to reduce contact with waste, then user hygiene is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by eliminating the need for complex lid mechanisms through disposability. Since the entire container is discarded after one use, there is no need for sophisticated opening/closing mechanisms to protect reusable components. The simplicity of a basic lid structure suffices, as the container itself becomes the protective barrier that is discarded rather than cleaned or maintained.
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 container provides a safe and hygienic means of disposing of waste by ensuring the lid can be opened and closed effectively, reducing contact with potential pathogens and allowing for easy access to the interior, thus minimizing health risks.
Implementation Method 1
The at least a portion of the pedal is configured to (i) rotate downwards in response to the application of a first force to the pedal
Implementation Method 2
the at least a portion of the hinge mechanism is configured to rotate downwards and apply a third force to the lid in response to the second force that is applied to at least one of the two or more lines by the pedal
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable container is disclosed that includes a lid, a frontward facing sidewall portion, a rearward facing sidewall portion that is opposite the frontward facing sidewall portion, a first foldable sidewall portion, a second foldable sidewall portion that is opposite the first foldable sidewall portion, a pedal, wherein the pedal is rotatably coupled to the frontward facing portion, a hinge mechanism, wherein the hinge mechanism is rotatably coupled to the lid and the rearward facing sidewall portion, and two or more lines that each have a first line end and a second line end, wherein the first line end of each of the two or more lines is coupled to the pedal and the second line end of each of the two or more lines is coupled to the hinge mechanism.