Soft-sided insulated container with work surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Soft-sided insulated containers lack a convenient and stable work surface for accessing and preparing contents without compromising the thermal insulation, as frequent opening or use of existing containers leads to loss of temperature control.
Innovation Solution
A soft-sided insulated container with a substantially rigid work surface that is movable between a deployed position for supporting objects and a storage position, integrated with a collapsible secondary container portion and a hinged lid, allowing for a temporary work surface without fully opening the container, which includes drink holder wells and a support structure such as folding legs or spring-loaded struts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a soft-sided insulated container is used to maintain temperature control, then thermal insulation is improved, but the ability to provide a stable work surface for accessing and preparing contents deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The work surface is designed as a movable, deployable structure that can transition between a stored position (maintaining container insulation) and a deployed position (providing work surface). This dynamic element allows the system to adapt its configuration based on operational needs, resolving the contradiction between maintaining thermal insulation and providing workspace.
Solution Approach 2:
The work surface is separated from the main container body as a distinct, detachable component. This segmentation allows the work surface to be deployed independently without requiring the container lid to be opened, thus maintaining the thermal seal while providing access to contents.
2Ease of operation
If the container lid is opened to access contents, then work surface availability is improved, but heat loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deployable work surface acts as an intermediary structure between the user and the container contents. It provides a platform for preparing and accessing contents without requiring the lid to be opened, thus mediating the interaction in a way that preserves thermal insulation while enabling content access.
3Ease of operation
If a rigid work surface is added to the container, then work surface stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The work surface utilizes a thin, rigid panel supported by a collapsible frame structure. This approach provides the necessary rigidity and stability for a work surface while minimizing the volume and complexity of the supporting structure when collapsed, balancing performance with structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A soft-sided insulated container assembly has a generally box-shaped form, having a main body and a lid. The lid is joined to the main body of the box by a hinge. The front face of the unit may have a mid or partial height work surface. The work surface may be movable between a collapsed or retracted position, and a raised or deployed position. The work surface may be formed in a substantially rigid molded stiffener member, and may be divided into sub-regions with raised retainers to discourage sliding of objects where not precisely level. The container assembly may include a rigid internal liner with which the lid may mate zipperlessly. The mating portion of the lid may be formed in the same rigid member as the work surface. The work surface may be located at a depressed height relative to the main container opening.