Ventilated Leak-Proof Container with Elevated Duct Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for transporting wet items either trap moisture, preventing drying, or allow liquid to leak, failing to effectively manage moisture and prevent messes.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring ducts that allow outside air to mix with interior moisture for drying while positioning interior openings to trap liquid, using a combination of hinges, sealing surfaces, and strategically placed ducts to prevent leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the container is liquid tight to prevent leakage, then liquid from wet items does not leak out, but moisture inside the container is trapped and the contents do not dry properly
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into separate functional zones: liquid collection chambers at the bottom and drying chambers above them. This segmentation allows liquid to be contained in specific areas while air circulation pathways remain open in other areas, enabling simultaneous leakage prevention and drying functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Absorbent materials are introduced as intermediaries between wet items and the liquid collection system. These materials absorb excess moisture from items while allowing air circulation, facilitating both liquid containment and drying processes without direct contact between liquid and items.
2Productivity
If holes are provided for liquid drainage and air flow, then air flow for drying is enabled, but liquid from wet contents can leak from the container and cause a mess
Solution Approach 1:
The container structure is segmented into distinct liquid collection zones and air circulation zones. Drainage holes are strategically positioned only in liquid collection chambers, while drying chambers maintain sealed or controlled openings. This segmentation allows liquid to drain through designated pathways while preventing uncontrolled leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the container are assigned different functional qualities: liquid collection chambers have drainage capabilities with holes, while drying chambers have controlled air flow pathways. This local differentiation enables liquid drainage where needed while maintaining leakage prevention in other areas.
3Reliability
If the container seals in moisture to prevent leakage, then liquid containment is improved, but the amount of liquid trapped is relatively small as compared to the size of the item and current prior art does not take advantage of that situation
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple liquid collection chambers are implemented throughout the container structure, each capable of holding liquid. This segmentation across multiple zones significantly increases the total liquid containment capacity compared to a single sealed compartment, allowing the container to handle liquid from items of various sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid collection system extends in multiple spatial dimensions within the container structure, utilizing vertical and horizontal spaces efficiently. This multi-dimensional arrangement maximizes liquid capacity without compromising the portability or size of the container.
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 wet items to dry efficiently while preventing liquid from leaking, addressing the limitations of prior art by allowing air flow and liquid containment simultaneously.
Implementation Method 1
The ducts allow for outside air to mix with the moist air inside the container which aids in drying the items
Implementation Method 2
The ducts also position the interior openings in such a way to trap liquid from the wet items
Data Source
AI summary
A container used to hold and transport items that get wet during use such as bar soap, razors, toothbrushes and clothing. Ducts in the container allow drier air from outside the container to mix with moist air inside the container to aid in the drying process. The ducts protrude into the container such that the openings in the ducts are presented above the level of any liquid dripping from the wet items regardless of the container's orientation. Thus, retaining the relatively small amount of liquid droplets and providing ventilation for drying. An embodiment can also arrange the position of the ducts to aid in the retention of the contained items to limit the movement of contents during transport.