Refrigerator Storage Bin Edge Trim for Hidden Decor and Hygiene

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Solution Overview

Problem

Household refrigeration appliances lack a design that enhances the appearance and functionality of storage containers, particularly in terms of visually integrating decorative elements and preventing unsightly or unhygienic conditions due to gaps where liquids can accumulate.

Innovation Solution

A storage container with a transparent base body and an edge edging strip featuring a holding device for decorative elements, allowing these elements to be positioned behind a transparent wall section, visible from outside, while maintaining a distance to prevent liquid accumulation and providing design flexibility with various materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If decorative elements are attached to the front side of the storage container, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the design flexibility and depth effect are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoiddesign flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves the decorative element from the traditional front surface attachment to a position behind the transparent wall section, utilizing the third dimension (depth) to create a new spatial arrangement. This allows the decorative element to be positioned at different distances from the front surface, creating depth effects and improving aesthetic appearance while maintaining design flexibility through adjustable positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Shape

If decorative elements are positioned close to the transparent wall section, then the aesthetic integration is improved, but liquid accumulation in gaps becomes a hygiene problem

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic integrationVSAvoidliquid accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the holding device with positioning elements) between the decorative element and the transparent wall section. This intermediary component serves dual purposes: it maintains the aesthetic integration by allowing close positioning while simultaneously preventing liquid accumulation through its designed gap structure that eliminates continuous contact surfaces where liquids could pool.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a modular edge edging strip with holding device is used, then the adaptability and design flexibility are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the edge edging strip structure: the structural edge finishing function, the decorative element attachment function (through integrated holding devices), and the positioning function (through integrated positioning elements). By merging these functions into a single integrated component rather than separate parts, the patent achieves high adaptability and design flexibility while actually reducing overall device complexity compared to using multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2856048B1Household refrigeration device with a storage container and an edge cover strip
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2856048B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2856048B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2856048B1 patent drawingFigure 3~3a

AI summary

The invention relates to a household refrigeration device (1) having a storage chamber (4, 5) for refrigerated material and at least one storage container (7) arranged in the storage chamber (4, 5), the storage container having a main body (11) with at least one transparent wall section (23) and an edge cover strip (33) affixed to the main body (11). The edge cover strip (33) has a retaining device (49) on which a decor element (51) is mounted and the retaining device (49) and/or the decor element (51) is designed so as to position the decor element (51) behind a rear side (47) of the transparent wall section (23), visibly from the exterior of the main body (11) through the transparent wall section (23).