Disposable Spray Gun Container With Removable Decorative Panel

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing containers and dispensers for consumable and disposable parts lack improved aesthetic appeal and usability, particularly in environments like collision repair and paint shops where cleanliness and accessibility are crucial for preventing contamination and defects in paint applications.

Innovation Solution

A container design featuring a decorative panel that encloses a storage volume for disposable spray gun components, with a large front opening for easy access and a cover to prevent dust and debris entry, mounted on a work surface with optional antistatic properties and customizable visual indicia, allowing for easy cleaning and visibility of contents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a traditional container design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but aesthetic appeal and usability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appealVSAvoidcontainer structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into multiple functional segments: a base container body, a removable decorative front panel, a hinged cover assembly, and an egress opening with gate. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall aesthetic appeal and usability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The decorative front panel is nested within the container structure, allowing it to be removed and replaced while the container body remains. The egress gate is nested within the front opening, and the cover is hinged to the container body, creating a nested configuration that maximizes space utilization and functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the container is closed to protect contents, then contamination is prevented, but accessibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination protectionVSAvoidcontent accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container incorporates dynamic elements including a hinged cover that can swing open for loading and a gate at the egress opening that allows controlled access. These dynamic features enable the container to transition between protected closed state and accessible open state, resolving the contradiction between contamination prevention and ease of access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The container is designed with pre-configured access points (front opening with removable panel and egress opening with gate) that are prepared in advance to allow quick access when needed, while maintaining protection when closed. The hinged cover is pre-positioned to provide immediate protection upon closing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a small opening is used, then content retention is improved, but accessibility and visibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent retentionVSAvoidcontent accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container provides multiple opening segments: a large front opening for primary access and visibility, and a smaller egress opening for controlled dispensing. This segmentation allows the container to offer both large-scale accessibility and secure content retention through the smaller gated opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3083446B1Container for disposable spray gun components
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
  • EP3083446B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3083446B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3083446B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A container for disposable spray gun components is disclosed. The container comprises a container front surface, a container rear surface, and a sidewall enclosing at least a rear portion of a storage volume and forming at least a portion of the container rear surface. The at least one sidewall comprises an opening perimeter proximate a front portion of the storage volume and defining a front opening. A first decorative panel is removably positioned in the front opening to substantially enclose the front portion of the storage volume and form at least a portion of the container front surface.