Recyclable Container With Removable Value Ingot

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Landfills contain substantial numbers of recyclable containers due to insufficient consumer motivation, highlighting the need for a dynamic redemption value system to encourage recycling.

Innovation Solution

Manufacturers determine the market value of containers by varying materials, thickness, and adding supplemental ingots made of valued materials, which can be dynamically adjusted to fluctuate with market values, providing visible recyclable information to consumers, thereby increasing the container's intrinsic value and encouraging voluntary recycling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the redemption value is fixed by legislation, then the container has stable value, but consumer motivation to recycle is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalue stabilityVSAvoidconsumer motivation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the container's value adjustable through variable thickness walls and removable ingots. The value can be dynamically changed by modifying the container structure or removing ingots, allowing the redemption value to fluctuate with market conditions while maintaining consumer motivation through visible value indicators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the container value is increased through material choice and thickness, then recycling incentive is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecycling incentiveVSAvoidmaterial usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the value component into separate removable ingots that can be detached from the container. This allows the value to be separated from the container structure, enabling the container to be used multiple times while the ingots serve as the recyclable value component. The ingots can be made of valuable materials without requiring the entire container to be expensive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes parameters by varying the thickness of container walls and the size/composition of ingots to adjust value. The value can be modified by changing physical dimensions (thickness, size) or material composition of the ingots, allowing flexible adjustment of recycling incentive without fundamentally redesigning the container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If ingots are added to increase container value, then recyclable value is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecyclable valueVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the value component (ingot) with the container structure through attachment mechanisms. The ingots are combined with the container body using methods such as adhesive bonding, mechanical interlocking, or integration into the container walls, creating a unified structure that appears simple to the consumer while enabling value adjustment and recycling incentive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8813463B2Recyclable containers and manufacturing method for controlling the container value to maximize container recycling

Publication Date: 2014.08.26 VAST SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY CORP

AI summary

A recycle container of metal or plastic includes sufficient material of a value that will provide a monetary incentive to the user to recycle the container. Supplemental material may be added to the exterior of the container such as the bottom and/or side wall. The supplemental material may also be placed in the container.