Stackable Rolling Cooler with Front-Opening Drawers and Gel Ice Packs

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ice chest coolers are cumbersome, difficult to access, and inefficient in organizing and maintaining temperature for various food and beverage items, especially during transportation and storage.

Innovation Solution

A modular cooler system with front-opening drawers, wheels, and extendable handles, featuring stackable bins with airtight and lockable compartments, dividers, and reusable jelly ice packs for temperature control and organization, allowing easy access and portability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If conventional ice chest coolers are used, then cooling function is provided, but portability and ease of maneuvering deteriorate due to heavy weight and lack of rolling mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidease of maneuvering

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cooler transitions from a static carrying design to a dynamic rolling design with wheels and extendable handles, allowing the cooler to adapt its mobility characteristics based on usage needs. The wheels enable easy rolling movement while the extendable handle adjusts to different user heights and pulling positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cooler is divided into separate functional modules: the main cooler body, removable bins, dividers, and ice packs. This segmentation allows users to carry only the necessary portions and makes the overall system more manageable and adaptable to different situations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If top-opening chest design is used, then ice containment is achieved, but accessibility to contents deteriorates requiring removal of items on top

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice containmentVSAvoidaccessibility to contents

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The opening mechanism is inverted from the conventional top-opening design to a front-opening drawer design. This allows users to access contents by pulling out drawers from the front rather than lifting the entire top lid, eliminating the need to move items on top and providing better ergonomics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Device complexity

If undivided cooler space is used, then simple structure is maintained, but organization and temperature control for different food items deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidorganization capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cooler interior is segmented into multiple removable bins and adjustable dividers that create separate compartments. These segments can be configured differently to organize various food items by type, temperature requirements, and fragility, while still being part of a unified cooler system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dividers and bins are designed to be adjustable and reconfigurable rather than fixed, allowing the internal organization structure to adapt dynamically to different storage needs and item configurations while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If single large bin is used, then fewer components are needed, but accessibility and organization of specific items deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidaccessibility to specific items

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The single large bin is divided into multiple smaller removable bins and compartments. Each bin can be independently accessed and removed, allowing users to quickly retrieve specific items without disturbing other contents, while the modular design keeps the overall component count manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

5Reliability

If airtight lockable drawers are used, then temperature maintenance and protection improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature maintenanceVSAvoiddrawer mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing and locking functions are merged into a single integrated mechanism at the drawer front. The airtight seal is built into the drawer structure itself, and the locking mechanism combines with the handle assembly, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining temperature protection and security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enhances portability, accessibility, and organization of contents by enabling easy stacking, temperature control, and mess-free operation, making it suitable for travel and storage in small spaces.

Implementation Method 1

The main bin includes wheels and an extendable pull-handle for easy rolling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

reusable ice packs that slide into the separate compartments inside each wall of the cooler. The jelly material inside of each ice pack prevents condensation and keeps the items inside cold and dry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

Each drawer seals airtight when shut, and is locked by a locking mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS11505224B2Stackable rolling coolers with affixed main bin

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 KRAVCHENKO ALINA

AI summary

This invention is directed to a kit of coolers that offers a number of improvements over the prior art. The coolers are modified to specifically accommodate frozen gel ice packs instead of ice cubes. Because there is no spill water, the coolers open with front-facing pull-out drawers. The coolers stack atop one another with interlocking parts. Easy transport is provided by a handle and wheels, which are attached to the bottom (main) bin. Internally, the cooler bins are compartmentalized horizontally or vertically with dividers. Hollow spaces within the walls and dividers of the bins accommodate frozen gel ice packs. Overall, the coolers are easier to pack and unpack, stack, load into a car, and transport on the ground than conventional ice chest coolers.