Flexible Food Storage Insert for Damage-Free Layered Item Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food storage containers often cause streaking and damage to food items when they are removed, especially when the items are tightly fitted and layered, leading to difficulties in serving and consuming them without compromising their integrity.
Innovation Solution
A food storage assembly comprising a container with a flexible, thermoformed or injection molded plastic insert that forms a side wall conforming to the container's shape, allowing for easy assembly, transport, and serving of layered food items without damaging their appearance or integrity, featuring a peel-away design and a lid with a protrusion for secure closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If food items are tightly fitted within the container for efficient storage and transport, then space utilization is improved, but the food items become difficult to remove and may be damaged during removal
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into two functional parts: a rigid outer container for structural support and space efficiency, and a flexible removable insert that holds the food item. The insert can be separated from the container, allowing the food item to be removed with the insert as a unit, preventing damage that would occur if the food item were removed directly from the tight-fitting container.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible insert acts as an intermediary between the rigid container and the food item. It provides a compliant interface that accommodates the food item during insertion and removal, while the rigid container maintains its structural integrity and space-efficient form factor.
2Ease of operation
If food items are removed from the container for serving, then accessibility is improved, but streaking occurs on the sides of the food item in contact with the container
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible insert serves as a mediator between the food item and the rigid container wall. During removal, the flexible insert remains in contact with the food item while the rigid container wall remains stationary, preventing the food item from scraping against the container wall and causing streaking.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible insert is made of a compliant material that can conform to the food item's surface during removal. This flexibility allows it to glide smoothly over the food item without creating friction-induced streaking that would occur with a rigid container wall.
3Strength
If a rigid container structure is used for structural stability, then strength is improved, but the sides of the food item may be damaged during removal due to tight fit
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a rigid outer container for structural stability and a flexible inner insert for food item handling. The rigid container provides the necessary strength and stability, while the flexible insert protects the food item during removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible insert acts as a protective shell around the food item during removal. Its compliance allows it to accommodate the food item's shape and movement, preventing the rigid container walls from contacting and damaging the food item sides.
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
The solution enables the easy and damage-free removal of layered food items from the container, preventing streaking and maintaining the appearance and integrity of the food, while allowing for transparent monitoring of the contents during assembly and serving.
Implementation Method 1
the two or more side portions are flexible and are folded to form a side wall conforming to a shape of the side wall of the container
Data Source
AI summary
A food storage assembly is provided. The food storage assembly includes a container including a base and an opening defining a rim, wherein a side wall is circumferentially disposed between the base and the rim. The food storage assembly further includes an insert having a base, wherein the insert includes two or more side portions connected to the base and extending radially therefrom, wherein the two or more side portions are flexible and are folded to form a side wall conforming to a shape of the side wall of the container when the insert is positioned inside the container.