Variable-Thickness Hollow Storage Device for Complete Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage devices for liquids and semi-solids face challenges in complete retrieval due to dispersed gripping force and material deformation, leading to residue at the opening, and they lack effective freshness preservation.
Innovation Solution
A hollow hand-held storage device with a cylindrical body formed by varying sheet thicknesses and materials, featuring a closed end and an opening, uses different concavities for efficient squeezing and is made of food-grade plastics for better air isolation and preservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a quadrilateral body made of soft materials is used for storage, then the device is easy to manufacture and flexible, but the gripping force is dispersed when squeezing, making it difficult to completely retrieve the item and leaving residue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a conical shape instead of a quadrilateral shape. The conical structure concentrates the squeezing force toward the apex, enabling complete retrieval of contents without residue. The curved surface allows efficient force transmission from the user's grip to the contents, solving the problem of dispersed gripping force while maintaining ease of manufacture using conventional forming processes.
2Ease of manufacture
If a hollow conical body made of paper is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the paper material does not easily return to its original shape after deformation, leaving liquid or semi-solid contents at the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from paper to a flexible, elastic material that can undergo deformation and recover its original shape. This material parameter change enables the container to return to its initial conical form after squeezing, preventing contents from remaining at the opening while maintaining ease of manufacture through conventional forming methods.
3Ease of manufacture
If paper material is used for the hollow conical body, then the manufacturing cost is low and the structure is simple, but the freshness preservation or storage effects are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure consisting of an outer flexible material layer and an inner coating layer. The outer layer provides mechanical flexibility and shape recovery, while the inner coating layer (such as plastic or wax) provides barrier properties against moisture and air. This composite approach achieves both ease of manufacture and improved freshness preservation through the synergistic combination of material properties.
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
Enables complete retrieval of contents and enhances freshness preservation by utilizing varying concavities and food-grade plastics for efficient squeezing and air isolation.
Implementation Method 1
The sheet has different thicknesses which cause different degrees of concavity or deformation on the two side surfaces of the hollow body when subjected to a gripping force
Implementation Method 2
made of food-grade plastics for better air isolation and preservation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a hollow hand-held storage device for storing items, comprising a hollow body formed by wrapping a sheet to form a cylindrical body having a chamber, a first end being an opening located at one end of the hollow body and communicating with the chamber, and a second end being a closed end located at the other end of the hollow body. The sheet has different thicknesses which cause different degrees of concavity or deformation on the two side surfaces of the hollow body when subjected to a gripping force. When a user grips the hollow body with one hand, the user can naturally squeeze the hollow body from its bottom to its top by feeling the different degrees of concavity or deformation through a thumb and index finger, thereby squeezing out the item and exposing the item at the first end.