Cylindrical Snack Container with Flexible Panel Bowl Transformation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composite containers for snack foods do not facilitate easy sharing of contents, as they are not designed to convert into a serving bowl format.
Innovation Solution
A container system comprising a cylindrical container and flexible interlocking panels that can be stored inside or outside the container and assembled into a serving bowl, using various configurations such as overcap-based or integral bottom tabs, allowing the container to transform into a bowl shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional cylindrical container is used, then the container structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the container cannot be easily shared or converted into a serving bowl format
Solution Approach 1:
The container sidewall is divided into multiple flexible panels that can be separated and reconfigured. Each panel contains locking tabs that engage with slots in adjacent panels, allowing the sidewall to be segmented yet remain connectable in different configurations - either as a closed cylinder or an open serving bowl
Solution Approach 2:
The container transitions from a static cylindrical structure to a dynamic, reconfigurable form. The flexible panels with locking mechanisms enable the container to change its configuration between a closed container state and an open serving bowl state, providing adaptability while maintaining structural integrity through the tab-and-slot locking system
2Ease of operation
If flexible interlocking panels are added to enable bowl transformation, then the container can be converted into a serving bowl for easy sharing, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking tabs and slots are designed to automatically engage with each other when the flexible panels are assembled. The user simply needs to connect the panels together, and the tab-and-slot mechanism self-locks without requiring additional fasteners, tools, or complex assembly steps, thereby maintaining ease of operation despite the added functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The container sidewall is constructed from flexible panels that can bend and conform to different shapes. This flexibility allows the panels to be assembled into either a cylindrical container shape or a bowl shape, enabling easy transformation for sharing while the thin-panel construction keeps the overall device relatively simple
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A cylindrical container (10) for holding snack foods and other items that can be transformed into a serving bowl is provided. A container system comprising a cylindrical container (50) and flexible panels (56) that can be assembled into a serving bowl is also provided.