Soft-Sided Beverage Cooler With Flexible Insulation and Draining Base
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for holding multiple beverage containers are either cumbersome or inadequate for maintaining temperature, particularly in outdoor settings where refrigeration is not available, and often require rigid, heavy, and bulky hard-sided containers.
Innovation Solution
A soft-sided cooler system with a multi-layer design incorporating a flexible insulation layer, stretch fabric beverage sleeves, and a convertible exterior panel, along with a base that includes a draining geometry and interchangeable components, to efficiently hold and maintain temperature of multiple containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If hard-sided insulated containers are used to maintain temperature, then temperature maintenance is improved, but weight and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible insulation layers and soft-sided construction with fabric or vinyl outer shells, replacing rigid hard-sided containers. The insulation is achieved through flexible materials like foam layers or air gaps between fabric layers, maintaining temperature without the weight and bulk of hard plastic or metal containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooler utilizes composite material construction combining fabric outer layers with flexible insulation materials (foam or air gaps). This composite approach provides thermal insulation equivalent to hard-sided containers while maintaining flexibility and reducing weight through the combination of soft materials.
2Temperature
If hard-sided insulated containers are used to maintain temperature, then temperature maintenance is improved, but device complexity and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible insulation layers and soft-sided construction with fabric or vinyl outer shells, replacing rigid hard-sided containers. The insulation is achieved through flexible materials like foam layers or air gaps between fabric layers, maintaining temperature without the weight and bulk of hard plastic or metal containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooler design integrates multiple functions into a single soft-sided unit: insulation, carrying handles, beverage holders, and drainage capabilities are all combined in one flexible structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and accessories that would increase complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid structures are used to hold beverage containers, then structural stability is improved, but ease of transportation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible insulation layers and soft-sided construction with fabric or vinyl outer shells, replacing rigid hard-sided containers. The insulation is achieved through flexible materials like foam layers or air gaps between fabric layers, maintaining temperature without the weight and bulk of hard plastic or metal containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible insulation layers and soft-sided construction with fabric or vinyl outer shells, replacing rigid hard-sided containers. The insulation is achieved through flexible materials like foam layers or air gaps between fabric layers, maintaining temperature without the weight and bulk of hard plastic or metal containers.
4Device complexity
If standard non-customizable coolers are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooler into modular components including removable beverage holders, separable insulation layers, and interchangeable exterior panels. This segmentation allows customization of the cooler's appearance and functionality without requiring complex assembly mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while enhancing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible insulation layers and soft-sided construction with fabric or vinyl outer shells, replacing rigid hard-sided containers. The insulation is achieved through flexible materials like foam layers or air gaps between fabric layers, maintaining temperature without the weight and bulk of hard plastic or metal containers.
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 system allows for easy transportation and temperature maintenance of both hot and cold beverages in a lightweight, flexible, and customizable format, suitable for various outdoor activities without the need for rigid structures.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible insulation layer positioned between the inner and outer layers
Data Source
AI summary
A system for holding multiple beverage containers may include a cooler or carrier with toting handles, closing tabs, and base. The base may be formed from a molded plastic, rubber or synthetic rubber material. The base may also include feet that hold the base a sufficient height from the ground. The base may have a generally conic tapering drain floor that makes up its top surface. The tapering drain floor may make draining the carrier easier by directing water toward a drain hole located in the base. Extending up from the base may be a multi-layer soft-sided wall where different layers perform different desired functions. For example, an inside layer closest to the internal cavity may be a waterproof layer, a middle layer may be an insulating layer, and an external layer may be a decorative layer.