Foldable Lid-Integrated Spoon for Sterile Single-Serve Scooping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for integrating eating utensils with food containers are costly, complex, and not well-suited for single-serve containers or children's use, as they require multiple components or assembly, and often rely on non-biodegradable materials.
Innovation Solution
A folding eating utensil integrated into a lid or container using minimal materials, such as recycled or degradable paperboard, which can be easily manufactured and attached using existing technologies, providing a tamper-proof and stackable solution that is easy to use and deploy, with a score line for sterile storage and deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate removable spoon is stored in a square storage lid, then the spoon can be stored separately, but the configuration is dependent on square food containers and requires assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The spoon is merged with the lid to form a single integrated unit. The spoon blade is formed from an extension of the lid itself, eliminating the need for separate storage and assembly. The spoon handle extends from the lid perimeter, creating a unified structure that works with various container shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid serves multiple functions: it seals the container and simultaneously forms the spoon utensil. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate spoon storage and makes the solution adaptable to different container types, not limited to square shapes.
2Quantity of substance
If two spoon parts are stored within a food lid, then the spoon can be stored, but three layers of material are required and assembly is needed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of storing two separate spoon parts within the lid, the invention merges the spoon structure with the lid itself. The spoon blade is formed from an extension of the lid material, and the handle extends from the lid perimeter, creating a single-layer integrated structure that eliminates assembly requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If the utensil member is attached perpendicularly to the lid, then the spoon can be integrated with the lid, but it is cost prohibitive for single serve containers
Solution Approach 1:
The spoon is merged with the lid as a single formed structure rather than being a separate attached component. The spoon blade and handle are formed from the same material sheet as the lid, eliminating complex attachment mechanisms and reducing manufacturing steps for single-serve containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid structure is segmented to form the spoon blade as an integrated extension. The material sheet is configured with specific fold lines and cutouts that create the spoon shape as part of the lid forming process, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining integration.
4Quantity of substance
If a folding eating utensil is integrated into the lid, then material usage is minimized, but the structure must be simple to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The lid material sheet is segmented with strategic fold lines and cutouts that define the spoon blade and handle shapes. These segmentation features are incorporated into the basic lid forming process, allowing the spoon to be created from the same material without requiring additional components or complex assembly steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A single, thin piece of folded material attaches to a single serving container to provide a strong, sanitary spoon, Folding score lines on the handle portion of the spoon give the utensil strength and provide a simplicity of use suitable for children. The disclosed utensil may be attached to existing containers or may be built into containers during the manufacture of the underlying container, or may be available as a stand-alone product. The disclosed utensil may be integrated into packaging material as overwrap sleeves used to package food containers.