Constructible Utensil Laminate for Clean Pop-Out Food Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for disposable utensils co-packaged with foodstuff containers, such as parfait cups, lack an efficient and cost-effective way to provide a usable utensil, often requiring additional manufacturing steps and components, and are not environmentally friendly.
Innovation Solution
A constructible utensil system where a planar utensil layer with a scoring pattern is used to create a utensil within the container, which can be folded and secured as a closure system, reducing the need for extra components and promoting eco-friendliness by using sustainable materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional multi-part parfait container system is used with separate lid and tray, then the container can be properly sealed and structured, but there is no easy way to provide the consumer with a utensil for ready enjoyment of the foodstuff
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lid and tray into a single integrated component where the tray is formed as an integral part of the lid structure. The utensil is then formed directly on the inner surface of this integrated lid-tray component, eliminating the need for separate lid and tray pieces while providing utensil accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated lid-tray component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it seals the container opening, provides a structural tray for food placement, and incorporates a formed utensil for consuming the foodstuff. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by providing utensil accessibility without adding extra components.
2Ease of operation
If an additional spoon lid component is added to provide a utensil, then the consumer can easily access a utensil, but this introduces a fourth manufacturing step and component to the existing processes
Solution Approach 1:
The utensil is formed as an integral part of the lid-tray component through a single forming process, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing steps for additional spoon lid components. The utensil features are created directly on the molded plastic structure during the primary forming operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid-tray component provides its own integrated utensil functionality through features formed directly on its structure, such as recesses or protrusions that function as spoons or scoops. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate utensil components and their associated manufacturing steps.
3Ease of operation
If traditional co-packaged disposable utensils are used, then the utensil is available to the consumer, but providing suitable packaging that ensures availability and cleanliness of the utensil are chronic challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The utensil is integrated directly into the lid-tray component, eliminating the need for separate utensil packaging. The utensil features are formed as part of the container structure itself, ensuring cleanliness through direct contact with the food container without requiring additional protective packaging layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid-tray component acts as an intermediary structure that provides both the sealing function and the utensil function. By forming the utensil features directly on this intermediate component, the patent ensures utensil cleanliness while simplifying the overall packaging structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for co-packaging constructible utensil assemblies with a food container including a utensil layer and a protective laminate layer. The utensil is disposed in the assembly to be easily removed while concurrently being peeled from the protective laminate layer that helps to ensure the cleanliness and sanitary portions of portions of the utensil to contact the foodstuff.