Vacuum Insulated Storage Container Lid Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insulated food storage containers face issues with heat transfer, leading to inefficient temperature retention for food items, as they often rely on traditional threading mechanisms that do not effectively minimize heat exchange through the container walls.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum insulated storage container design featuring a one-piece lid with latches and gaskets that creates a vacuum cavity between the inner and outer walls, minimizing heat transfer by forming an airtight seal and using insulation materials like expanded polystyrene foam to retain temperature within the compartments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional threading mechanisms are used to close the container, then the container can be easily opened and closed, but heat transfer through the container walls is not effectively minimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of opening and closingVSAvoidheat transfer through container walls

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is divided into an outer lid portion and an inner lid portion that are separable from each other. The inner lid portion can be removed independently to access the receptacle, while the outer lid portion remains attached to provide insulation. This segmentation allows easy operation for opening/closing while maintaining thermal insulation through the outer lid portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lid structure combines different materials with complementary properties: the outer lid portion provides structural integrity and insulation, the inner lid portion provides sealing capability, and insulation materials (such as foam or air gaps) are incorporated between the lid portions and receptacle to reduce heat transfer while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of energy

If insulation materials are added to reduce heat transfer, then temperature retention is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer reductionVSAvoidcontainer structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inner lid portion is nested within the outer lid portion, and both are designed to fit together in a compact arrangement. The insulation material is positioned in the space between these nested components, allowing effective thermal insulation without significantly increasing the overall size or complexity of the container structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Flexible gaskets and sealing rings are used to create airtight seals between the lid portions and receptacle without requiring complex rigid structures. These flexible components can be easily manufactured and installed, providing effective sealing and insulation while maintaining simplicity in the overall design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

The solution effectively maintains temperature within the compartments, keeping food items at a consistent temperature for extended periods, such as maintaining boiling water at 100°C to above 50°C for 6 hours, while preventing leaks and air flow.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum is formed between the inner wall and the outer wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum insulation: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

an insulation layer is formed between the outer lid portion and the inner lid portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

a sealing ring is positioned within the inner channel to create the cooperating engaging structure that engages with the lid engaging structure of the receptacle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentUS20220106102A1Vacuum insulated storage containers

Publication Date: 2022.04.07 LUNCHWELL CORP

AI summary

Vacuum insulated storage containers storage containers are provided. In some embodiments, an insulating container is provided comprising: a receptacle that comprises an inner receptacle, an outer receptacle, and a first gasket configured to form a first seal between the inner receptacle and the outer receptacle, wherein one or more compartments are formed in the inner receptacle and wherein a first vacuum cavity is formed between an outer wall of the inner receptacle and an inner wall of the outer receptacle; a one-piece lid structure that comprises an inner lid portion, an outer lid portion, and a second gasket configured to form a second seal between the inner lid portion and the outer lid portion, wherein a second vacuum cavity is formed between an outer wall of the inner lid portion and an inner wall of the outer lid portion; a plurality of latches connected to an outer wall of the outer lid portion, wherein each of the plurality of latches is configured to connect the one-piece lid structure to the receptacle; and a cover that is formed to securably attach to the outer lid portion.