Bread Storage Container with Integrated Cutting Board and Crumb Trough

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food storage containers lack effective condensation control and crumb management, particularly when storing baked goods like bread, leading to humidity issues and crumb dispersal during cutting.

Innovation Solution

A bread storage container design featuring a base and cover combination with condensation control holes and a trough system for securing a cutting board, which includes an extension to catch crumbs and elevate food for improved airflow, preventing crumb fallout and maintaining humidity control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a cutting board is provided on the cover for cutting bread, then cutting functionality is improved, but bread crumbs fall off the cover

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting functionalityVSAvoidbread crumb dispersal
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A trough structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the cutting board and the external environment. The trough acts as a containment barrier that intercepts and collects bread crumbs before they can fall off the cover, thus resolving the contradiction between providing cutting functionality and preventing crumb dispersal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the cover is sealed to maintain humidity control, then humidity management is improved, but condensation accumulates inside the container

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehumidity controlVSAvoidcondensation accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The condensation control feature introduces localized quality variations in the cover structure by creating specific openings or channels in predetermined locations. These localized modifications allow selective moisture vapor transmission while maintaining overall seal integrity, thus resolving the contradiction between humidity control and condensation prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2984976B1Bread storage container
Publication Date: 2017.06.28 DART IND INC
  • EP2984976B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2984976B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2984976B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Food storage container, such as a bread storage container, or bread box includes a novel combination of a base and a cover, which may include a condensation control for controlling the humidity inside the bread storage container. Still further, bread storage container may include a cutting board which may be provided on top of a cover for the bread storage container, or inside the base of storage container, or may be rested on a surface, such as a countertop. The bread storage container may further include a trough for collecting food particles, such as bread crumbs, so that when the cutting board is on the cover of the storage container, crumbs of bread cut on the cutting board are prevented from falling off the cover. The trough prevents crumbs from falling off the cover when the cutting board is on the cover on a work surface.