Recycling Frame with Apertures for Contamination Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recyclable containers are often mistakenly discarded in trash receptacles due to lack of clear differentiation, leading to contamination and reduced recycling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A container storage device featuring a rectangular rigid member with apertures and flexible members, a frame with grooves and a slit, and vertical supports, designed to visually distinguish recyclable objects and facilitate their separation from trash, reducing the likelihood of contamination and streamlining recycling processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If recycling receptacles are marked with symbols or text, then recyclability indication is improved, but visual clarity and differentiation from trash cans deteriorates when symbols are not universally recognized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color coding to differentiate recycling receptacles from trash cans. The frame structure uses distinct colors (e.g., green for recycling, red for trash) to provide immediate visual recognition. This color-based differentiation system resolves the contradiction by making recyclability indication universally understandable without relying on text or symbols that may not be recognized, thereby improving both information transmission and visual clarity simultaneously.
2Productivity
If separate recycling and trash receptacles are provided, then recycling efficiency is improved, but physical footprint and space requirements deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the recycling receptacle functionality with a trash can structure by integrating a framed receptacle onto the side or top of an existing trash can. This combination allows separate collection of recyclables and trash while utilizing the vertical space and existing footprint of the trash can, thereby maintaining high recycling efficiency without significantly increasing the physical footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from horizontal placement of separate receptacles to vertical integration. By attaching the recycling receptacle frame vertically to the trash can structure, the system utilizes the vertical dimension rather than requiring additional horizontal floor space, thus resolving the contradiction between separate collection functionality and minimal physical footprint.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If clear visual differentiation is implemented, then contamination is reduced, but device complexity and structural elements deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the waste collection system into distinct functional zones using a frame structure with separate apertures for recyclables and the main opening for trash. This segmentation provides clear visual and physical differentiation that prevents contamination while using simple geometric divisions rather than complex mechanisms, thus reducing contamination risk without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A container storage device may include a rectangular rigid member that may include multiple apertures distributed throughout. The container storage device may include multiple flexible members affixed to the rectangular rigid member where a center point of the multiple flexible members is configured to align with a center point of the multiple apertures. The multiple flexible members may be configured to hold recyclable objects within the multiple apertures. The container storage device may include at least one elongated vertical support member affixed to the rectangular frame. The container storage device may include a base portion affixed to the at least one elongated vertical support, configured to maintain the at least one elongated vertical support in a vertical orientation.