Flexible Food Package With Push-Up Support Rib
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food product packaging lacks flexibility to allow easy one-handed retrieval and consumption of the product while maintaining protection and freshness.
Innovation Solution
A flexible package with a U-shaped support rib and tapered sidewalls made of low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, or polystyrene, allowing the product to be selectively pushed upwards and outward from the container using the sidewalls, which are designed to support the product in a spaced relation and maintain hermetic sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the package is designed to be rigid and protective for shipping, then the product is protected from damage, but the package lacks flexibility to allow easy one-handed retrieval and consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The package transitions from a rigid protective structure during shipping to a flexible, collapsible structure during consumption. The sidewalls are designed to be flexible and collapsible, allowing the package to deform as the product is pushed up and removed, enabling easy one-handed operation while maintaining protective strength when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The package utilizes flexible sidewall portions made of materials that can deform and collapse. These flexible walls allow the package to be compressed and reshaped during the pushing-up operation, enabling easy retrieval while the overall structure maintains sufficient strength for protection during transport.
2Ease of operation
If the package is made flexible to allow product retrieval, then ease of operation improves, but the hermetic sealing capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The package structure is segmented into a rigid base portion and flexible sidewall portions. This segmentation allows the base to maintain hermetic sealing integrity while the sidewalls provide flexibility for product retrieval. The support rib is also segmented to work with the flexible walls without compromising the seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible sidewall portions are designed to maintain sealing capability while allowing deformation. The flexibility is achieved through material selection and structural design that preserves the hermetic seal even as the walls collapse during product retrieval, reconciling flexibility with sealing reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the package structure is simplified for flexibility, then ease of operation improves, but the ability to support and position the product may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support rib is positioned locally at the bottom of the package to provide targeted support for the product. This localized support structure is sufficient to hold the product in place during storage and shipping, while the rest of the package walls remain simple and flexible for easy operation during consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible package for an associated food item is disclosed. The package includes a wall forming an inner cavity and having a first, closed end a second, open end. The wall includes first and second sidewall portions and a flexible interconnecting third sidewall portion. A support rib extends into the cavity and is dimensioned to support the associated food item in the cavity in spaced relation with the wall. By pressing inwardly on the sidewall portions, the food item is advanced outwardly through the open end of the package.