Sliding Container Lid With Mating Tracks And Detent Stops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld containers lack a practical and efficient mechanism for sliding and discrete positioning of lids, which limits their functionality in terms of easy access and storage of items.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring mating tracks between a plastic container base and lid, along with a stop mechanism using detents and a resilient catch, allowing the lid to slide between closed and open positions, forming different dispensing openings for easy access and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional fixed lid is used on a handheld container, then the container structure is simple, but the container lacks ease of operation for dispensing and storing items
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to slide between closed and open positions. This dynamic configuration enables the lid to transition between different states (fully closed, partially open, fully open) to facilitate easy dispensing and storage of items, directly addressing the ease of operation requirement while introducing controlled complexity through the sliding mechanism
2Adaptability or versatility
If a sliding lid mechanism is added to allow discrete positioning, then the container provides controlled dispensing and storage, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding mechanism is segmented into discrete positioning points using detents and resilient catches. The detents create specific stop positions (fully closed, partially open, fully open) along the sliding path, allowing the lid to be positioned at predetermined locations. This segmentation provides adaptability for different dispensing needs while keeping the mechanism relatively simple through modular positioning elements
3Reliability
If a stop mechanism with detents and resilient catch is implemented, then the lid achieves secure closure and controlled positioning, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stop mechanism components (detents, resilient catches, and track features) are merged into the molded container structure. The detents and resilient catches are integrated into the lid and base as part of the molding process rather than being separate assembled parts. This merging approach ensures reliable secure closure and controlled positioning while maintaining ease of manufacture through single-step molding operations
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 provides a user-friendly mechanism for repeatedly dispensing and storing items, with the sliding and stop mechanism ensuring secure closure and controlled dispensing, enhancing usability and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient catch. The resilient catch engages the detents to define different discrete positions of the closed and open positions between the container lid and the container base
Implementation Method 2
mating tracks between a plastic container base and sides of a plastic container lid
Implementation Method 3
The pair of second tracks also slideably engage the pair of first tracks such that the plastic container lid is slideable from the closed position to an open position
Data Source
AI summary
A container comprising a plastic container base, a plastic container lid, and a pair of first and second tracks is provided. The container base has a bottom, front and back ends, and a pair of sidewalls that define a storage area. The container lid is slideably disposed on the plastic container base and includes a cover portion that encloses the storage area when the plastic container is in a closed position. The pair of first tracks are included one on each of the sidewalls. The pair of second tracks depend downwardly from opposing sides of the cover portion and slideably engage the pair of first tracks. As such, the container lid is slideable from the closed position to an open position to form a dispensing opening between the front end of the container base and a forward edge of the cover portion.