Weatherproof Storage Tote with Interlocking Lid Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Storage totes lack stability and weatherproofing, leading to instability when stacked and inadequate protection of contents from moisture during inclement weather.
Innovation Solution
A durable storage tote design featuring a main body with a rim and sidewalls, a lid with latch receiving sections and a seal, and latches that form a fluid-tight seal, allowing for secure stacking and protection from weather.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If storage totes are designed without integrated stacking features, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but stability when stacked deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the stacking support function with the main body structure by integrating recesses into the bottom corners of the tote. This merging of functions allows the same structural elements to serve both as the main body container and as stacking interfaces, resolving the contradiction between stacking stability and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rim structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural reinforcement for the opening, serves as a stacking surface for totes placed above, and works with the seal to provide weatherproofing. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the existing structure serve additional purposes without adding complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If storage totes use non-waterproof components, then ease of manufacture is improved, but protection from moisture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible seal member (gasket) that can be molded into the lid structure. This flexible film-like component provides effective weatherproofing by conforming to the rim surface, resolving the contradiction between moisture protection and manufacturing complexity through a relatively simple molding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining the rigid main body and lid materials with a separate seal material (such as rubber or elastomer). This composite approach provides effective weatherproofing while keeping manufacturing feasible through standard molding and assembly processes.
3Reliability
If storage totes lack integrated locking mechanisms, then device complexity is reduced, but security of contents deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lid into multiple sections with individual latch receiving portions, allowing separate latches to secure different areas of the lid. This segmentation provides comprehensive security while keeping each individual latch simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces latch receiving portions as intermediary structures that mediate between the simple latch mechanism and the lid. These receiving portions guide and secure the latches, providing reliable content security while keeping the overall system relatively simple through this intermediary interface.
Data Source
AI summary
The storage tote has a main body and a lid. The main body includes a bottom section, a plurality of sidewalls defining an open end, and a rim formed in the sidewalls adjacent the open end of the main body. The lid includes a base and a lip disposed adjacent the base, the lid adapted to cover the open end of the main body. The lip includes a plurality of latch receiving section, each of the latch receiving section includes at least one lock receiving section. A seal is disposed adjacent the lip of the lid and abuts the rim of the main body when the lid is covering the open end of the main body. The storage tote has at least one latch. The latch is connected to the main body of the storage tote and includes at least one locking mechanism.