Food Container Base With Bowl-Shaped Recesses For Liquid Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Packaging containers for liquid-releasing foods, such as meat, face issues with juice leakage, unsightly presentation, and potential microbiological problems due to inadequate contact with modified atmospheres, and existing solutions complicate production, reduce capacity, or are not recyclable.
Innovation Solution
A container with a flat base featuring bowl-shaped depressions and a foil section with holes, allowing liquid to collect in the depressions while maintaining contact with the modified atmosphere, made from recyclable plastic materials, ensuring the liquid is kept away from the food and distributed evenly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a film with micro-perforations is used to maintain contact with modified atmosphere, then food freshness is improved, but liquid accumulates at the contact surface and does not drain away
Solution Approach 1:
The base is segmented into multiple bowl-shaped depressions that are distributed across its surface. These depressions act as separate liquid collection zones, allowing liquid to drain away from the food contact area while maintaining the film's atmospheric barrier function.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves liquid management from a two-dimensional surface problem to a three-dimensional solution by creating bowl-shaped depressions. This vertical dimension allows liquid to flow downward into the depressions, separating it from the food while maintaining film contact.
2Reliability
If the container is divided into upper and lower sections separated by a perforated film, then liquid is separated from food, but the container capacity is reduced and production becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the liquid separation function into the base structure itself through integrally formed bowl-shaped depressions. This eliminates the need for a separate dividing film or multi-section construction, maintaining a simple single-chamber container while achieving effective liquid separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The base serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, maintains container shape, and simultaneously acts as a liquid collection system through its bowl-shaped depressions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate liquid collection components.
3Reliability
If an absorbent lining is used to manage liquid, then liquid is absorbed, but the lining becomes unsightly and the container is not recyclable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the liquid management function from the lining material and transfers it to the base structure. By forming bowl-shaped depressions directly in the base, the container manages liquid without requiring a separate absorbent lining, maintaining recyclability and aesthetic appearance.
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 effectively manages liquid release, maintains food appearance, and ensures recyclability by using a simple design that prevents liquid contact with the food, thus enhancing consumer appeal and environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
Liquid escaping from the food passes through the numerous holes in the film section into depressions formed in the base of the container below, where it is held, in particular by capillary action
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a container (1) with an interior space (3) for receiving liquid-releasing foodstuffs in one or more chambers of the interior space (3), having a flat base (5) and a circumferentially rising side wall (2) formed integrally with the base, wherein the base (5) is provided on its underside with a plurality of bowl-shaped recesses (4) that project downwards from the base (5) and are open at the top of the base (5). According to the invention, the base (5) of each chamber can be covered with a film section (11) having a plurality of holes (15, 16) through which liquid escaping from the foodstuffs can pass into the bowl-shaped recesses (4), wherein the film section (11) of each chamber is attached to the base (5), and wherein the container (1) and the film section (11) are made of substantially the same recyclable plastic material. (Fig. 1)