Storage Container Hinged Lid for More Capacity Without Footprint Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage containers have limited interior dimensions, failing to maximize storage capacity while maintaining compactness.
Innovation Solution
A hinged lid design that increases the interior volume of storage containers by up to 20% through a movable portion that rotates about a hinge, allowing the lid to cover and seal the container while providing easy access to its contents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional fixed lid design is used, then the container structure is simple, but the interior volume is limited and cannot be maximized
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is divided into a base portion and a movable portion that can rotate independently relative to each other about a hinge axis. This segmentation allows the movable portion to extend beyond the base portion, creating additional interior volume while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The lid transitions from a static fixed design to a dynamic hinged design where the movable portion can rotate about a hinge arrangement. This dynamic capability enables the lid to provide both coverage when closed and access when opened, while the extended movable portion maximizes interior volume without proportionally increasing the container's external footprint
2Volume of moving object
If the lid extends higher to increase storage volume, then the interior capacity increases, but the container's external dimensions and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The movable portion of the lid extends in a direction that utilizes vertical space above the container opening rather than expanding the container's horizontal footprint. By rotating about a hinge axis positioned at the container rim, the movable portion creates additional storage volume in the vertical dimension while maintaining a compact external profile when viewed from above
3Volume of moving object
If a hinged lid with movable portion is added, then the interior volume increases, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is manufactured as separate base portion and movable portion components that are subsequently assembled through the hinge arrangement. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using standard molding techniques, reducing overall manufacturing complexity compared to creating a single complex piece
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge arrangement serves as an intermediary component that connects the base portion and movable portion. This separate hinge mechanism simplifies the manufacturing of each lid component by allowing them to be molded independently and then assembled, rather than requiring complex integrated hinge structures
Data Source
AI summary
A plastic container comprises a container body having an opening to an interior of the container body; and a lid constructed and arranged for removably coupling to the container body. The lid comprises a base portion covering a first region of the opening of the container body; a movable portion covering a second region of the opening of the container body in a closed position and exposing the opening to the interior of the container body in an open position; and a hinge arrangement between the base portion and the movable portion. The movable portion is constructed and arranged to rotate about an axis along which the hinge arrangement extends, and relative to the base portion. The base portion and the movable portion each extends at a predetermined height above the opening of the container body.