Food Container with Interlocking Side Flap Divider
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food containers for bite-size foods lack an efficient way to separate different products within a single container, leading to increased material costs and complexity in manufacturing, storage, and usage.
Innovation Solution
A food container design featuring a first and second body portion that expand to form an interior dividing wall through engagement features such as interlocking hooks or tabs, allowing for separate compartments within the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple separate containers are used to hold different food items, then each food item can be properly separated, but material costs and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple compartments by an interior dividing wall that partitions the interior space. This segmentation allows different food items to be separated within a single container structure, reducing the need for multiple separate containers while maintaining proper food item separation.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple container functions are merged into a single container by integrating an interior dividing wall that creates multiple compartments. This combining approach allows one container to perform the function of multiple separate containers, reducing material costs and manufacturing complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If a divider is added to separate food items within a single container, then material costs are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container interior is segmented into multiple compartments by the dividing wall, which is formed by folding side flaps inward. This segmentation approach efficiently uses material by creating separate spaces within a single container structure rather than requiring multiple separate containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The dividing wall is formed using foldable side flaps that can be folded inward to create the partition. This dynamic folding mechanism allows the container to transition from a flat configuration to an expanded three-dimensional structure with internal compartments, achieving separation without adding permanent complex structures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If side flaps are folded inward to form a dividing wall, then compartments are created for separating food items, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The side flaps are designed to be foldable rather than permanently fixed, allowing the container to be manufactured in a flat state and then transformed into a three-dimensional compartmentalized structure during assembly or use. This dynamic folding approach simplifies manufacturing by reducing the need for complex permanent structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The side flaps are configured to fold inward and engage with each other to automatically form the dividing wall structure. This self-forming mechanism reduces the need for additional fastening components or complex assembly procedures, as the flaps create their own structural support through the folding action.
4Stability of the object's composition
If engagement features are added to the side flaps to form an interior dividing wall, then the dividing wall structure is stabilized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement features are integrated directly into the side flaps themselves, allowing the flaps to self-stabilize when folded inward. The features engage with each other to automatically secure the dividing wall structure without requiring external fastening components, thus stabilizing the structure while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement features are merged with the side flap structure rather than being separate components. This integration allows the dividing wall to stabilize through the inherent geometry and interlocking capability of the flaps themselves, achieving structural stability without adding discrete engagement components that would increase device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Food container includes a first body portion and a second body portion. The first and second body portions are joined proximate opposing sides thereof to define an interior of the container and a mouth to the interior. The container has a flat configuration with the first and second body portions in a generally planar condition and an expanded configuration with the first and second body portions in a contoured condition. First side flaps extending from the opposing sides of the first body portion are folded inwardly into the interior of the container. At least one of the first side flaps has an engagement feature disposed thereon disposed to engage the opposing first side flap when the container is the expanded configuration to form an interior dividing wall within the interior of the container. A unitary blank for forming a food container is also provided.