Sliding Lid Compartment Box for Secure Multi-Compartment Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compartment boxes with hinged or sliding lids face issues such as accidental opening, mixing of contents, instability, and handling obstacles, particularly when accessing multiple compartments.

Innovation Solution

A compartmentalized box with a sliding lid that moves minimally to access all compartments, featuring perforated and unperforated areas, and a spring mechanism to maintain closure, ensuring easy access and reduced spill risk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a storage box with a hinged lid is used, then the lid can be opened for access, but the lid may accidentally close and trap a user's finger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid openingVSAvoidfinger trapping

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by positioning the hinge at the front edge of the lid, which is the first point of contact when opening. This preliminary positioning ensures that the hinge acts as a protective barrier before the user's finger can reach the dangerous closing zone, preventing finger trapping while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge serves as an intermediary element between the lid and the user's finger. By placing the hinge at the front, it mediates the opening action and creates a physical barrier that prevents direct contact between the user's finger and the lid's closing motion, eliminating the harmful effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of stationary object

If the storage box is designed for compact storage, then space is saved, but the lid may not provide sufficient protection for contents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidcontent protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by allowing the lid to transition between multiple positions: fully closed for protection, partially open for access, and fully open for ventilation. The hinge at the front edge enables smooth rotational movement through these positions, providing both compact storage when closed and adequate protection when partially open, while maintaining a compact overall form factor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the lid is made secure to prevent accidental opening, then content protection is improved, but the lid becomes difficult to open when needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevent accidental openingVSAvoidlid opening

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating the securing mechanism at specific locations rather than distributing it uniformly. The hinge at the front edge provides localized securing that prevents accidental opening, while the rest of the lid remains easily accessible. This localized approach maintains both security and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3802358B1Storage box with sliding lid

Publication Date: 2026.05.06 GANGLOFF LAURENT

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AI summary

The invention concerns a storage box with compartments provided with a lid bored with openings and sliding parallel to the surface of the box. Moving the lid a small distance relative to the dimensions of the box allows access to all the compartments to be closed or opened, depending on whether this movement positions the non-bored zones or the bored zones of the lid above the compartments.