Packaging Container Partition with Gravity Drain and Backflow Barrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing containers for perishable food products, such as fresh meat, that exude liquids face hygiene issues due to prolonged contact between liquid and the product, leading to decay and bacterial growth, and require costly and complex adaptations in packaging processes.

Innovation Solution

A container design featuring a partitioned structure with a product space and a receiving space for liquids, where the product space is positioned above the receiving space, allowing liquid to flow into the receiving space through an outlet opening, and a resistance element prevents backflow, eliminating the need for absorbent materials and simplifying production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If absorbent material is used to retain liquid, then liquid can be retained, but hygiene standards cannot be complied with due to prolonged contact between liquid and food product

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehygiene standardsVSAvoiddecay and bacterial growth

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into two separate spaces: a product space for holding the food product and a receiving space for collecting liquid. The partition means with outlet opening separates these spaces, allowing liquid to drain from the product space to the receiving space while preventing contact between liquid and product, thus eliminating bacterial growth issues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partition means acts as an intermediary structure between the product and liquid. It includes an outlet opening that allows liquid to pass through while the resistance element prevents backflow, serving as a one-way valve mechanism that mediates liquid movement without compromising product hygiene

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If partition means with outlet opening are used to separate product and liquid spaces, then liquid can be discharged and separated from product, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid discharge effectivenessVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The partition means is integrated as an integral unit with the container body, formed in a single step using thermoforming or injection-moulding techniques. This merging of the partition structure with the container body simplifies manufacturing and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the liquid discharge function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The partition means serves multiple functions: it separates the product space from the receiving space, provides structural support, and incorporates the outlet opening with resistance element for one-way liquid flow control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If resistance element is added to prevent backflow, then liquid transport from receiving space to product space is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackflow preventionVSAvoidcontainer production

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The resistance element is formed as an integral part of the partition means during the same thermoforming or injection-moulding process. By merging the resistance element with the partition structure, the container is produced in a single step without requiring separate assembly operations, maintaining manufacturing simplicity

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

This design effectively separates liquids from products, preventing decay and bacterial growth while being cost-effective and easy to produce, without requiring changes to existing packaging processes or consumer behavior.

Implementation Method 1

In a normal position of the container, the product space is at least in part positioned above the receiving space... liquid can flow from the product space to the receiving space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

the resistance element forms a barrier to liquid, so that liquid cannot reach the outlet opening, or at least to a reduced extent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS10173824B2Container for packaging products, in particular food products such as fresh meat products, as well as a method for packaging such products

Publication Date: 2019.01.08 WILLEMSEN LOUIS RINZE HENRICUS ADRIANUS

AI summary

The invention relates to a container for packaging products, in particular fresh products such as meat products. The container comprises a container body with a product space for accommodating a product and a receiving space at least for receiving liquid, preferably liquid from the product. The container body according to the invention comprises partition means that separate the product space and the receiving space from each other. The partition means comprise at least one outlet opening configured to at least discharge liquid from the product space to the receiving space. The container is further provided with at least one resistance element extending into the receiving space, which resistance element surrounds the outlet opening in such a manner that the resistance element prevents the transport of liquid from the receiving space to the product space.