Coded Container System for Home-Prepared Food Shelf Life Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for managing home-prepared food storage are inefficient, relying on manual labeling and lack the ability to track shelf life effectively, unlike systems for industrially produced food.
Innovation Solution
A system with pre-printed coded containers that allow users to input information at an input station, linking each container with a unique code to its contents, storage date, and expiry date, displayed on a unit, enabling precise management and notification of shelf life expiration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual labeling is used for home-prepared food containers, then the system is simple and inexpensive, but the management and monitoring of food becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The coding is pre-printed on the containers during manufacturing, eliminating the need for manual labeling. Users only need to input the pre-existing code at the input station, which automatically retrieves food information and calculates expiry dates, significantly reducing time investment while maintaining simple container design
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of manually creating unique identifiers, the system uses pre-printed codes that serve as keys to access stored food information in the memory. The control unit automatically matches the code with corresponding food data, replacing manual record-keeping with automated digital storage and retrieval
2Extent of automation
If pre-printed codes are added to containers, then food management becomes automated and efficient, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The input station serves multiple functions: it reads the pre-printed code, retrieves corresponding food information from memory, calculates expiry dates based on storage conditions, and displays results. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate complex components into a single integrated unit
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-printed code acts as an intermediary element that links the physical container to the digital information stored in memory. This simple intermediary enables automated tracking without requiring complex identification systems, as the code serves as a key that bridges the physical and digital domains
3Measurement precision
If detailed information is tracked for each container, then shelf life monitoring becomes precise, but the ease of operation decreases due to more input requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Food information such as type, storage conditions, and initial dates are pre-stored in the memory associated with each code. When a user inputs a code, the system automatically retrieves this pre-stored information and performs calculations, requiring minimal user input while maintaining high precision in shelf life tracking
Solution Approach 2:
The display unit provides immediate feedback to the user by showing the calculated expiry date and storage time. This feedback mechanism allows users to verify the accuracy of the tracking system while requiring minimal interaction, as the system performs complex calculations automatically based on the code input
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system for storing food, comprising: a plurality of containers (1) for storing food, said containers being arranged in a packaging unit and being provided with different codings (4); an input station (10), in which, when a container (1) is deposited in a refrigerator, at least information regarding the coding (4) and the food arranged in the container (1) can be input; a memory for storing the input information; a control unit, by means of which each container is allocated a use-by date (16); and a display unit (11), which outputs a display upon or before expiration of a use-by date (16) and informs the user of the expiry of the shelf life of the food. The invention further relates to a method for storing food.