Integrated Butter Spreading Package Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing individual portion packages for spreading butter or similar foodstuffs on bread often require a separate knife, leading to contamination and inconvenience, as they necessitate the use of both hands and can be difficult to manufacture efficiently.

Innovation Solution

An integrated container with a spreading device that includes a first wall and a second wall connected by a weak adhesive, where the second wall forms a gripping device that covers the spreading device, allowing easy dispensing and protection from contamination, with the option of a kerf line for manual separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a separate knife is used to spread butter from the container, then the spreading function is achieved, but contamination occurs and both hands are required for operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of spreadingVSAvoidcontamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spreading device is integrated directly into the container structure, merging the container and spreading tool into a single unit. This eliminates the need for a separate knife, prevents contamination, and allows one-handed operation by incorporating the spreading blade as an extension of the container wall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If the spreading device is integrated with the container, then contamination is prevented and one-handed operation is enabled, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of spreadingVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into functional zones: a first wall extension forming the spreading blade and a second wall extension forming the gripping device. These segments are connected by weak adhesive that allows easy separation after use, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining the integrated structure during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spreading device and gripping device are pre-formed as extensions of the container walls during the molding process, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing steps and assembly operations, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the gripping device covers the spreading device, then protection from contamination is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination protectionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping device is formed as an extension of the container's second wall, merging the protective cover and gripping handle into a single continuous structure. This eliminates the need for separate protective covers and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining contamination protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 provides a hygienic, easy-to-use, and cost-effective package that minimizes contamination and manufacturing complexity, allowing for convenient handling and efficient butter distribution without the need for additional tools.

Implementation Method 1

a first wall (6) and a second wall (3) connected to each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2956384B1A portion package for foodstuff such as butter
Publication Date: 2019.04.24 SPREADPAC
  • EP2956384B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP2956384B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8
  • EP2956384B1 patent drawingFigure 9~11

AI summary

The invention relates to an individual portion package containing butter, soft cheese or other foodstuff intended for spreading on a piece of bread or the like. The package includes a closed container (1) and spreading device (2). The spreading device (2) is integrated with the container (1) and projecting out from the container (1). The container is formed by a first wall (6) and a second wall (3) connected to each other. The first wall (6) has a first extension forming the spreading device (2). The second wall (3) has a gripping device (4) at the end of the container (1) adjacent the spreading device (2). The gripping device (4) is arranged for opening the container (1) at this end for providing a dispensing opening (5) allowing the content of the container to be squeezed out onto a supply side (2a) of the spreading device (2). The supply side (2a) is on the same side of the first wall (6) as the container (1). The gripping device (4) forms a second extension of the container(1) in the direction of the spreading device (2). The second extension completely covers the supply side (2a) of the spreading device (2).