Cylindrical container and serving bowl
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composite containers for snack foods do not easily allow sharing of contents without passing the entire container around, as they are not designed to transform into a serving bowl format.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical container system with flexible panels that can be locked together to form a bowl shape, using an overcap or integral bottom tabs as a base, allowing transformation into a serving bowl for easy sharing and access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional cylindrical container is used, then the container maintains structural integrity and freshness, but it does not allow easy sharing of contents
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple flexible panels that can be separated and reconfigured. These panels are connected by frangible lines that allow them to be broken apart and rearranged into a bowl shape, enabling sharing while maintaining structural integrity through the panel connections
Solution Approach 2:
The container transitions from a static cylindrical shape to a dynamic reconfigurable structure. The flexible panels can be rotated and repositioned along frangible lines to transform the container into a bowl shape, allowing easy sharing while maintaining stability through controlled structural changes
2Strength
If the container is made rigid to maintain freshness, then structural integrity is improved, but transformation into a serving bowl becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid container structure is segmented into flexible panels that can be reconfigured. Each panel maintains sufficient strength through its construction (paperboard structural layer with polyfoil liner) while the segmented design allows transformation into different shapes for serving
Solution Approach 2:
The container uses flexible panels with a composite structure including a polyfoil inner liner and paperboard structural layer. This combination provides both the flexibility needed for transformation and the strength required to maintain structural integrity and freshness during use
3Ease of manufacture
If the container is designed for single-use, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability for serving purposes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The container is manufactured as a segmented structure with frangible lines pre-formed in the panels. This segmentation allows the container to be easily transformed into a serving bowl without complex manufacturing processes, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while adding serving functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed to serve multiple functions: it can be used as a traditional cylindrical container for storage and transport, and can be transformed into a serving bowl for easy sharing. The frangible lines and flexible panels enable this dual functionality without complicating the manufacturing process
Data Source
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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.