Food container with visual indication and related methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food containers lack features that enhance aesthetic appeal and provide dynamic lighting effects to attract customers, particularly in luxury products like caviar, while ensuring secure and seamless packaging.
Innovation Solution
A food container with an integrated electronic device comprising a disc-shaped housing, a battery, a visual indicator, and a processor that activates based on ambient light or proximity sensors, featuring a canted annular design for a secure fit and enhanced aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an electronic device with visual indicator is integrated into the lid, then aesthetic appeal and customer attraction are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic device components (visual indicator, battery, processor, sensors) are merged into a single integrated unit housed within a compact device housing that fits into the recess of the lid. This consolidation reduces overall complexity while maintaining the desired lighting functionality for aesthetic appeal and customer attraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic device is nested within the lid structure by positioning it in a recess that is defined in the lid's second major surface. The device housing fits precisely within this recess, creating a seamless integrated appearance while protecting the electronic components. This nesting approach maintains the simplicity of the overall container structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are added to activate visual indicator based on ambient light or proximity, then dynamic lighting effects are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensors (ambient light sensor and/or proximity sensor) enable the visual indicator to activate automatically based on environmental conditions without requiring manual intervention. The processor monitors sensor inputs and autonomously controls the visual indicator activation, providing adaptive lighting effects that enhance customer attraction while minimizing the need for complex control interfaces.
3Reliability
If a recess is defined in the lid for receiving the electronic device, then secure packaging is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The recess is defined with specific local geometric features (canted annular lid wall) that provide secure engagement for the electronic device. The canted annular device wall of the housing abuts against the canted annular lid wall, creating a mechanically secure fit. This localized geometric design ensures reliable device securing while accommodating reasonable manufacturing tolerances.
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 provides a visually appealing and functional container that enhances customer attraction through dynamic lighting, ensuring secure and seamless packaging, suitable for luxury products.
Implementation Method 1
a battery carried within the device housing
Implementation Method 2
The visual indicator may comprise at least one light emitting diode (LED) carried by an external surface of the device housing
Data Source
AI summary
A food container includes a housing defining a food receiving recess and having a closed first end and an open second end opposite the closed first end, and a lid to be received by the open second end of the housing and having opposing first and second major surfaces. The first major surface faces the food receiving recess, and the second major surface defines a recess. The food container also includes an electronic device to be received by the recess and having a device housing, a battery carried within the device housing, a visual indicator carried by the device housing and coupled to the battery, and a processor carried by the device housing and coupled to the battery and the visual indicator. The processor is configured to cause the visual indicator to generate a visual indication.