Foldable Liquid Retaining Bowl with Self-Sealing Sides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disposable food containers, particularly those made of plastic and paper, lack efficient designs for retaining liquids and optimizing space during storage and transport, while also being easy to assemble and disassemble without additional mechanical elements.
Innovation Solution
A foldable laminate container with a brushed regular pentagon outline, featuring a double concentric cone circular base and an overlap triangle that folds into a three-dimensional bowl shape, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, liquid retention, and increased volume capacity, with a lid system that can be used as handles for transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a pre-formed plastic container is used, then the container maintains its shape and structure, but it cannot be collapsed to minimize storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The container transitions from a rigid pre-formed structure to a dynamic foldable structure. The container body includes foldable sides that can be collapsed inward, allowing the container to change its volume configuration between use state (expanded) and storage state (collapsed), resolving the contradiction between maintaining shape and minimizing storage space.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is divided into a base and foldable sides that can be independently collapsed. The sides are segmented from the base, allowing them to be folded inward independently, enabling volume reduction without compromising the base structure's integrity.
2Volume of moving object
If a paper container with folding flaps is used, then the container can be collapsed to reduce storage space, but it requires additional mechanical elements for closing
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs self-service closing mechanisms where the foldable sides themselves act as closing elements. The sides fold inward to seal the container opening without requiring separate mechanical fasteners, latches, or additional closing components, achieving both space reduction and simplified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing function is merged with the foldable sides. The same structural elements that provide the container's walls also serve as the sealing mechanism, eliminating the need for distinct mechanical closing elements and reducing overall device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a disposable plastic container is used, then the container provides stable structure and ease of use, but it creates waste and environmental harm
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed to be collapsed and compacted for efficient storage and transport, reducing the volume of waste before disposal. The foldable structure allows the container to be compressed to a fraction of its original volume, minimizing the space occupied by discarded containers and reducing waste management impacts.
4Reliability
If a container with additional lids and sealing elements is used, then liquid retention is improved, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable sides serve dual functions: they form the container walls and simultaneously act as sealing elements that prevent liquid leakage. The sides fold inward to create a self-sealing structure without requiring separate lids, gaskets, or additional sealing components, achieving reliable liquid retention with minimal complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The foldable sides perform multiple functions: structural support, container formation, and liquid sealing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated sealing components, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining effective liquid retention.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid retaining folded laminar container made from a cold or heat pre-cut paper or plastic sheet. The laminar container comprises engraved lines that enable folding to form a container. The laminar container has a circular base having a double concentric cone. The laminar container's sides close on itself to create a self-bearing square, or geometric, outline container with lids. The container is manually formed from the an engraved laminar sheet. The containers can be stored and transported flat.