False Bottom Protrusion Network for Fresh Food Exudate Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current packaging solutions for food products that exude liquids, such as meat and soft fruits, fail to effectively separate the product from exudates, leading to aesthetic issues, bacterial contamination, and conservation problems, while also posing challenges in recyclability and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A packaging design featuring a false bottom with a network of protrusions on its upper face and retaining pads on its lower face, which separates juices from the food, enhances gas flow, prevents contact with liquids, and facilitates easy recycling by allowing the false bottom to be removably integrated and dismantled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If absorbent material (blotting paper) is placed in direct contact with the product to absorb exudates, then the exudates are absorbed, but the absorbent pad degrades in appearance and promotes bacterial growth
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging is divided into distinct functional zones: a raised support platform that elevates the product, and a separate absorbent pad positioned beneath the platform. This segmentation prevents direct contact between the product and absorbent material, eliminating the degradation and bacterial growth issues while maintaining absorption functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The raised support platform acts as an intermediary element between the product and the absorbent pad. It allows exudates to drain through to the absorbent material below while preventing direct contact, thus mediating the interaction to avoid the harmful effects of moisture on both the product appearance and bacterial growth.
2Ease of operation
If a non-absorbent base with raised areas is used to elevate the product for drainage, then liquid can drain between raised areas, but the product may still contact exuded liquids when packaging is tilted
Solution Approach 1:
The base is segmented into raised support areas and lowered drainage areas, creating a topography that directs liquid flow away from the product while maintaining product elevation. This segmentation ensures drainage functionality while preventing product contact with exudates even when tilted.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If an additional support element separate from the packaging container is used with openings for drainage, then exudates can drain through openings to absorbent material, but the absorbent layer occupies space and causes bacterial growth
Solution Approach 1:
The support element and absorbent pad are merged into a single integrated component rather than separate elements. This combines the support function and absorption function into one structure, reducing overall complexity while maintaining drainage capability through the raised platform design.
4Quantity of substance
If absorbent pads made of cellulose fibers and super-absorbent polymers are used to absorb large quantities of liquid, then absorption capacity is increased, but recyclability is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging design accepts that the absorbent component serves a single-use function and is disposed of with the packaging after use. This approach prioritizes immediate absorption functionality over long-term recyclability, using inexpensive materials that fulfill their purpose effectively before disposal.
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 improves food preservation by preventing bacterial growth and maintaining product appearance, while enabling efficient recycling and reducing environmental impact through the use of recyclable materials.
Implementation Method 1
the sight of a piece placed on a blood-stained base, or swimming in exudates... the liquids exuded from protein-rich animal products can promote bacterial growth
Implementation Method 2
the flow of protective gas (in the case of controlled atmosphere packaging) or air circulating around the protein piece is limited by the existence of the contact surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
Packaging for fresh food products comprising a container having a base and a peripheral wall, said base being covered by a false base consisting of a wall (1) arranged parallel to the base and supporting the product, the wall (1) of the false base having an upper face on which the product rests and a lower face opposite the base of the packaging. The packaging is such that: - the upper face has a network of separate protrusions (2) distributed over the entire surface of said face, forming a segmented flat support; and - the lower face is provided with support studs (3, 3') resting on the base and defining a space between the false base and the base.