Attachable Timer Disc Lid for Reliable Food Storage Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional food storage containers lack a built-in and easy-to-use means for tracking the storage duration of food items, leading to potential waste or health hazards due to uncertainty about food freshness.

Innovation Solution

A storage container with a removably attachable timer disc that includes a microcontroller, battery, and display, activated by engaging mating elements on the lid, allowing easy tracking of elapsed time since food storage began.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hand-made labels are used to track storage time, then food storage tracking is possible, but the process is time-consuming and burdensome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood storage trackingVSAvoidlabeling process time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The timer disc automatically tracks storage time without requiring user intervention for labeling. When attached to the lid, it self-activates and continuously displays elapsed time, eliminating the manual effort of creating and attaching labels while maintaining reliable storage tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The timer disc is pre-configured with timing functionality and automatically begins tracking when attached to the container. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for users to manually set up tracking during the storage process, saving time while ensuring accurate tracking from the moment of attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If hand-made labels are used to track storage time, then storage tracking is possible, but errors may occur during labeling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage tracking accuracyVSAvoidlabeling process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of writing and attaching labels with an electronic timer disc system. The digital display and automatic timing eliminate human error in recording and interpreting storage time, while the simple attachment mechanism maintains ease of use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional storage containers are used, then storage functionality is provided, but no built-in means for tracking storage duration is available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage tracking capabilityVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The timer functionality is segmented into a separate, removable disc component rather than being integrated into the container structure itself. This allows the basic container to remain simple while adding tracking capability through an attachable accessory that can be easily added or removed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The timer disc is designed to be universally attachable to various container lids through magnetic or friction-based attachment, providing storage tracking functionality across multiple container types without requiring modifications to each specific container design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250388366A1Storage container with attachable timer disc

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 DRISCOLL CHARLES R

AI summary

A storage container that comprises a base, lid and a timer disc that is removably attachable to the lid. The lid comprises a top surface having a circular recess formed thereon and one or more first mating elements disposed within the circular recess. The timer disc comprises a housing that encapsulates a display, a microcontroller, and a battery, and one or more second mating elements. The timer disc is manipulable to cause the one or more second mating elements to engage with the one or more first mating elements, thereby securing the timer disc to the lid. The manipulation of the timer disc to cause the one or more second mating elements to engage with the one or more first mating elements also causes an electrical connection to be made between the battery and each of the microcontroller and the display, thereby activating the microcontroller and the display.