Lid for a container and cutlery produced from a lid of that kind
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container lids with integrated cutlery solutions face issues such as multiple components, material waste, limited directional loading, and environmental impact, as well as the need for separate production steps and hygiene concerns.
Innovation Solution
A lid with a handling body and an integrally connected eating utensil part, such as a spoon, fork, or knife, that can be folded out approximately 180 degrees via a hinge, featuring securing mechanisms to prevent unintended folding back, and produced from a single, stiff material like thermoplastic polypropylene, allowing for all-directional loading and easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If foldable cutlery solutions are used in container lids, then the cutlery can be integrated into the lid, but the cutlery can be loaded substantially only in one direction to avoid folding in or folding back
Solution Approach 1:
The cutlery is pre-folded into the lid during lid production, with the cutting edge positioned to point toward the container opening. The blade is preliminarily secured in a recess with adhesive, and a cover foil protects it during transport. This preliminary configuration allows the cutlery to be loaded from any direction while maintaining stability, as the pre-positioned structure prevents unintended folding regardless of loading direction.
2Ease of operation
If elastic-flexible material is used for the lid to enable spoon folding, then the spoon can be folded out, but the material makes possible only use for eating foodstuffs of comparatively low viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is segmented into distinct functional zones: a stiff lid body for structural support and engagement with the container, and a foldable cutlery portion with hinge connections for maneuverability. This segmentation allows the rigid lid body to maintain strength for tough or frozen contents while the articulated cutlery sections provide folding capability through hinges and articulation points.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components of different materials are used for lid and cutlery, then the cutlery can be integrated into the lid, but several raw materials are required and individual components easily pass into the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The lid and cutlery are merged into a single integrated component made from one continuous piece of stiff material, preferably thermoplastic polypropylene. The cutlery is formed as an integral part of the lid body through molding or forming processes, eliminating separate components and different materials. This unified structure prevents component separation and environmental loss while reducing overall material consumption.
4Ease of operation
If a removable lid with integrated spoon is used, then the spoon can be separated for eating, but separate production steps are required which increase costs and hygiene concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The cutlery is pre-integrated into the lid during the lid manufacturing process itself, rather than being added in a separate production step. The lid is molded or formed with the cutlery already in place, connected by hinge structures. This preliminary integration simplifies manufacturing to a single production step while maintaining the ability to separate the cutlery for eating through the hinge connections.
Data Source
AI summary
A lid for a container, with a lid body includes a handling body having a lid outer edge and an eating utensil part. The eating utensil part hinge has a hinge spacing from the lid outer edge of the handling body. An eating utensil part engagement-behind support body of the first handling part is formed between the eating utensil part hinge or the eating utensil part hinge pivot axis and the lid outer edge of the handling body. The eating utensil part engagement-behind support body is opposite the eating utensil part in the eating use setting on a first eating utensil part side of the eating utensil part so that for acceptance of use forces acting in a first force direction the eating utensil part is or can be directly or indirectly supported on the eating utensil part engagement-behind support body.