Foldable Food Holder with Upward-Projecting Bottom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food containers fail to maintain rolled fast-food products in a vertical position, leading to messy consumption and inadequate access to the bottom portion, especially when designed for hand-held consumption.
Innovation Solution
A multiple-panel sleeve food holder with a bottom member that projects upwards when squeezed, allowing the food to be elevated and supporting it in a vertical orientation, while also being compact and foldable for storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional container is used to hold rolled food products, then the food product is protected during transport, but the food product cannot be maintained in a vertical position during consumption leading to messiness
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple panels (front panel, rear panel, two front-side panels, and two back-side panels) that can be folded and configured to form a stable vertical structure, allowing the food product to be held upright during consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The container transitions from a flat two-dimensional folded state to a three-dimensional vertical structure that supports the food product in an upright position, enabling vertical orientation maintenance during consumption
2Ease of operation
If the container is designed to support vertical orientation, then messiness is prevented, but the container occupies excessive volume when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into multiple foldable panels that can be collapsed into a compact flat configuration for storage, minimizing occupied volume when not in use
Solution Approach 2:
The container employs dynamic folding mechanisms that allow it to transition between a compact flat state for storage and an expanded vertical state for use, adapting its volume based on operational needs
3Ease of operation
If a food holder allows access to the bottom portion of the food product, then consumption is improved, but the structural support for vertical orientation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple panels including front-side and back-side panels that provide structural support while incorporating openings or accessible regions that allow consumers to reach the bottom portion of the food product without compromising overall stability
Solution Approach 2:
Specific regions of the container panels are designed with different properties - certain areas provide rigid structural support for vertical orientation while other areas incorporate openings or thinner sections that facilitate access to the bottom portion of the food product
4Area of stationary object
If the container has sufficient surface area for holding the food product, then vertical support is adequate, but the folded configuration leaves pockets of space increasing storage volume
Solution Approach 1:
The container uses multiple panels that can be folded together to create a compact configuration, eliminating empty spaces and pockets when not in use while maintaining sufficient surface area during deployment for adequate food product support
Solution Approach 2:
The panel structure is designed to nest efficiently when folded, with panels fitting together to minimize empty space, reducing the storage volume while preserving the necessary surface area for vertical support when expanded
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a food holder including a multiple-panel sleeve that may include a front panel, a rear panel, two front-side panels and two back-side panels that form an irregular shape. The multiple-panel sleeve includes a bottom member connected to bottom edges of the front and rear panels. The irregular, tapered shape of the bottom member promotes the structural integrity of the food holder.