Rotating Inner Tray Container With Flexible Gripping Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container technologies lack efficient mechanisms for securely holding and protecting items during transportation and storage, particularly in ensuring items are not tampered with and providing flexible accommodation for items of varying sizes and shapes.
Innovation Solution
A container assembly comprising an outer shell and an inner tray that is rotatably coupled, equipped with gripping members that flex to secure items and a locking mechanism to prevent disassembly, along with a tamper-evident tab to ensure integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to secure the inner tray within the outer shell, then the security and reliability of item protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a locking member extending from the inner tray and a corresponding locking port in the outer shell. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in design while collectively providing secure locking functionality, thus improving reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member is integrated as part of the inner tray structure, and the locking port is formed within the outer shell. This nested arrangement allows the locking mechanism to be embedded within the existing container structure, adding security functionality while minimizing additional complexity.
2Reliability
If gripping members are added to secure items within the inner tray, then the holding security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping members are designed as flexible elements that can deform to accommodate items of varying sizes and shapes. This flexibility allows a single simple gripping mechanism design to securely hold diverse items without requiring complex adjustable or modular gripping systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping members serve multiple functions: they secure items during normal use, provide tamper-evident functionality when integrated with the tab mechanism, and can accommodate various item sizes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized mechanisms, thereby improving holding security without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Reliability
If a tamper-evident mechanism is added to detect tampering, then the reliability of integrity verification is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tamper-evident tab is pre-configured in a sealed position that must be deliberately broken or moved to access the locking mechanism. This preliminary action of sealing provides immediate tamper-evident functionality without requiring complex sensors or detection systems, as the physical state of the tab itself serves as the evidence.
Solution Approach 2:
The tamper-evident tab acts as an intermediary element between the outer shell and the locking mechanism. It provides a visible and tangible indicator of tampering while mechanically connecting to the locking system, thus achieving reliable integrity verification through a simple physical mediator rather than complex electronic or mechanical detection systems.
4Ease of operation
If the inner tray is made rotatable for easy access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability of the container structure worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The inner tray is designed with rotational capability around a pivot point, allowing it to dynamically transition between closed and open positions. This dynamic design improves ease of operation by enabling simple rotational access to items, while the pivot mechanism maintains structural stability through defined hinge points and locking positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational function is extracted as a separate degree of freedom from the overall container structure. The inner tray can rotate independently on its pivot points while the outer shell remains stable, thus improving operational ease without compromising the structural stability of the main container body.
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 assembly effectively secures and protects items by providing a flexible and secure holding mechanism, preventing tampering, and ensuring the integrity of contents during transportation and storage.
Implementation Method 1
The inner tray can include a spacing member disposed on a side wall of the inner tray and configured to contact and exert an outward force on an inner wall of the outer shell. The spacing member can be a spring member.
Data Source
AI summary
A container assembly includes an outer shell forming an interior cavity, an inner tray dimensioned to be received within the interior cavity of the outer shell, wherein the inner tray is rotatably coupled to the outer shell and configured to rotate between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The container assembly further includes a plurality of gripping members disposed within the inner tray, the gripping members being structured to flex outwardly to receive an item placed in the inner tray and apply an inward force to the item to releasably secure the item within the inner tray.