V-Shaped Freezer Container Assembly for Organized Breast Milk Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for storing freezable liquids like breast milk are inefficient, leading to waste due to leakage, space inefficiency, and spoilage, with existing containers being expensive, prone to breakage, and lacking effective organization and reuse options.
Innovation Solution
A V-shaped container assembly with a support base and a freezer container support structure that allows for organized storage and identification of freezable liquids by color-coded indicia, enabling easy access and minimizing space usage, while being reusable and reducing the risk of leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plastic bags are used for storing freezable liquid, then the container is flexible and inexpensive, but it is prone to leakage and results in significant waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible plastic bag as the containment shell, utilizing its inherent flexibility to conform to storage spaces while maintaining leakage resistance through proper sealing mechanisms and structural design of the support base
2Reliability
If glass bottles are used for storing freezable liquid, then the container is reusable and leak-resistant, but it is bulky, expensive, and can fracture upon expansion during freezing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid glass bottles with flexible plastic bags that can expand and contract during freezing without fracturing, while maintaining leak resistance through proper sealing and support structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid glass to flexible plastic, allowing the container to accommodate volume changes during freezing without structural failure
3Volume of stationary object
If ice cube trays are used for freezing liquid, then the container is reusable and space-efficient, but it occupies considerably more volume than the liquid intended to be frozen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible plastic bags that can be compressed and contoured to match the exact volume of the liquid being stored, eliminating the wasted space inherent in rigid ice cube tray designs
4Ease of operation
If bottles are used for storing freezable liquid, then the container is easy to handle, but it can be overlooked resulting in newer breastmilk being used in advance of older breastmilk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color-coded labels or indicators on the containers to visually distinguish between different batches or ages of stored liquid, enabling easy identification and proper rotation without requiring manual tracking
5Volume of stationary object
If frozen cubes are transferred to bags for storage, then the volume is reduced, but the milk becomes highly susceptible to freezer burn
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible plastic bags as the primary containment structure that can be properly sealed and fitted to minimize air contact, preventing freezer burn while maintaining compact storage volume
Data Source
AI summary
A container assembly comprises a V-shaped container having a V-shaped cross-section and being formed from freezer-safe material, and a support base having a V-shaped groove sized to received and cooperate with the container thereby to support the container during filling with freezable liquid. Also disclosed is a freezer container support structure comprising two or more plates and at least two spaced support members. The support members are adapted to engage the plates in spaced locations along the support members, to maintain one or more freezer containers between the plates during freezing of a freezable liquid contained in each said freezer container.