Container With Integrated Scoop Holder

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current packaging for granulated products is difficult to handle and open with one hand, leads to spillage and contamination, and does not adequately seal after initial use, resulting in waste and inconvenience in accessing the last bits of product without inverting the container.

Innovation Solution

A sealable container design with a pivotally attached lid, integrated scoops, and enhanced sealing features, including a flexible gasket and impervious seal, that allows for easy access and minimizes spillage, and incorporates a scoop holder for convenient dispensing and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the scoop is positioned against an interior or exterior wall for convenient location, then the scoop is easier to locate, but it becomes difficult to grasp and remove requiring more than one hand

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescoop locationVSAvoidscoop removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The scoop holder extends outward from the container wall into a third dimension, creating a protruding structure that positions the scoop away from the container body. This dimensional change allows the scoop to be both easily locatable (attached to the container) and easily graspable (extending outward with clearance from surrounding structures)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The scoop holder acts as an intermediary component between the container wall and the scoop. It provides a mechanical structure that attaches the scoop to the container while simultaneously creating grasping clearance, mediating between the conflicting requirements of secure attachment and easy removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If the container is inverted to completely empty the contents, then all product can be accessed, but spillage and waste occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct accessVSAvoidproduct spillage
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The container design enables the user to completely empty the container through normal upright orientation by providing a scoop with a shape congruent to the container corners. The container structure itself facilitates complete product removal without requiring inversion, making the system self-sufficient for complete product access

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the lid is removed and opened to access contents, then the scoop can be located, but contents become loosely caked on the lid and spill during removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescoop accessVSAvoidcontent spillage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The scoop is pre-positioned in the scoop holder attached to the container wall, making it locatable and accessible without requiring lid removal. This preliminary positioning of the scoop eliminates the need to open the lid, thereby preventing the harmful effect of contents becoming caked on the lid and spilling during removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3070022B1container
Publication Date: 2023.03.29 ABBOTT LAB INC
  • EP3070022B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3070022B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3070022B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A container (210) for holding granular or powdered material and formed by a top wall (212), a bottom wall (214), a front wall (216), a rear wall (218), a first side wall (220), and a second side wall (222). A rotatably removable lid (D) is interiorly mounted with a scoop (32) and is pivotally hinged to a collar (300) that includes a sealing gasket (330). The collar (300) mounts to the walls of the container (210). A sealing wall 240 of the lid (D) cooperates with the gasket (300) to prevent the contents from spilling. The container (210) incorporates powder control features, a container wall junction (50) preferred geometry and congruent scoop (32) enabling convenient access to the contents, a tolerance variation accommodating and strength improving, J-shaped collar (300) and interlocking indentations (290) and flex clips (310), and a pressure controlling portion (350) that prevents unwanted deformation due to pressure differentials.