Removable Container Latch Mechanism for Secure Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container storage systems lack efficiency, ease of use, modularity, and multifunctionality, necessitating improvements to make them more practical and versatile.

Innovation Solution

A container system comprising a base unit with a removable container unit, featuring a base container with side walls, a handle, and latch regions, and a removable container unit with a storage space, cover, and separate handle, allowing for secure attachment and detachment to facilitate access and transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a removable container unit is attached to the base unit, then security and access control are improved, but portability and ease of access are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess controlVSAvoidportability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container system is divided into two separate but complementary units: a base unit with latch regions and a removable container unit with corresponding engagement features. This segmentation allows the container to function securely when attached (improving reliability) while maintaining independent portability when separated (improving ease of operation). The removable container unit can be detached and carried separately via its integrated handle, solving the contradiction between security and portability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The container system transitions between two dynamic states: attached and detached. The latch regions enable dynamic switching between these states, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements. When security is needed, the units are attached; when portability is needed, the removable unit can be detached and carried independently, thus resolving the contradiction between fixed security and flexible portability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the container handle is positioned for optimal carrying when detached, then portability is improved, but structural space when attached is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoidstructural space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The container handle is designed with multi-functionality to resolve the spatial conflict. When the removable container unit is attached to the base unit, the handle is positioned along the side surface where it occupies minimal additional space. When detached, the same handle becomes optimally positioned for carrying. This universal design allows the handle to serve both structural and portability functions without sacrificing significant space when attached.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2708330B1Container assembly
Publication Date: 2018.10.24 THE STANLEY WORKS (ISRAEL) LTD
  • EP2708330B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2708330B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2708330B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A container system having a base unit and a removable container unit. The base unit includes a base container portion and a base handle having a first end portion attached to at least one of the opposing side walls of the base container portion, a second end portion attached to at least another of the opposing side walls of the base container portion, and an extending portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion. The base unit also includes a first latch region. The removable container unit includes a second latch region constructed and arranged to latch with the first latch region. The removable container unit prevents access to the opening of the base unit when the removable container unit is attached to the base unit and permits access to the opening of the base unit when the removable container unit is removed from the base unit.