Folded Lid-Integrated Spoon for Low-Waste Single-Serve Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for integrating eating utensils with food containers are either cost-prohibitive, environmentally unfriendly, or unsuitable for children due to complexity and material requirements, failing to provide a practical and eco-friendly solution for single-serve containers.
Innovation Solution
A folding eating utensil integrated with a lid that uses minimal materials, such as recycled or degradable paperboard, which can be easily manufactured and attached to containers, featuring a score line for easy deployment and a curved design for structural strength and sterility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate removable spoon is stored diagonally in a square storage lid, then the spoon can be removed and used, but the lid adds unnecessary bulk and produces excessive environmental waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the spoon directly into the lid structure by molding the spoon handle as an integral extension of the lid body. This eliminates the need for a separate removable spoon and reduces material usage, thereby decreasing environmental waste while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid serves multiple functions: it acts as both the container cover and the spoon handle. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, minimizing material consumption and environmental impact while preserving the ability to easily access and use the spoon.
2Ease of operation
If two spoon parts are stored within a food lid requiring assembly, then the spoon can be constructed, but assembly is difficult for children and three layers of material increase cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spoon parts into a single pre-assembled unit that is integrated into the lid during molding. This eliminates the need for end-users to perform assembly operations, making the product accessible to children and simplifying the user experience while reducing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spoon assembly is pre-configured during the lid manufacturing process rather than requiring final assembly by the user. The handle and spoon bowl are molded as connected components, performing the assembly action in advance during production, which eliminates complex user assembly steps.
3Strength
If heavy gauge material is used to form a spoon, then the spoon is rigid enough for scooping, but the design becomes cost prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin-walled spoon design that relies on the arching geometry and curvature of the spoon bowl to provide structural strength rather than heavy gauge material. The curved surfaces and optimized wall thickness achieve sufficient rigidity for scooping while using minimal material, reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The spoon bowl is designed with curved and arched surfaces that provide structural strength through geometric form rather than material thickness. The curvature distributes stresses efficiently, allowing thin-walled construction to achieve the rigidity needed for scooping without requiring expensive heavy gauge material.
4Ease of operation
If a spoon pivots out from the outer edge of the lid, then the spoon can be deployed, but the lid width prevents the spoon from reaching the bottom of deep containers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the spoon pivot point at the center of the lid rather than at the outer edge, utilizing the vertical dimension and central location to maximize the downward reach of the spoon. This central pivot arrangement allows the spoon to extend vertically into deep containers without being constrained by the lateral width of the lid.
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 such as overwrap sleeves used to package food containers.