Contoured Food Pouch Holder for Controlled Feeding and Less Mess
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Solution Overview
Problem
Food pouches often create messes due to uncontrolled food flow, squirting food from the top opening, which soils clothing and surfaces when children squeeze them.
Innovation Solution
Design of a container with a contoured shape that maintains the food pouch's integrity, featuring a top opening with semicircle or geometric sections, a hinge mechanism, and a surface that divides the interior into upper and lower cavities to prevent collapse and facilitate easy access to the food, while allowing the cap to be stored separately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a child squeezes the food pouch to access food, then the child can easily access the food, but the food squirts from the top opening and creates mess
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary containment structure (the pouch holder with cavity) between the child's squeezing action and the food pouch. This intermediary structure controls and directs the food flow through a defined pathway, preventing uncontrolled squirting while maintaining ease of access. The cavity design and opening configuration act as a mediator that transforms the direct squeezing-action into a controlled dispensing process.
2Device complexity
If the food pouch is allowed to collapse naturally during use, then the pouch is simple in design, but the pouch collapses and makes it difficult for children to access remaining food
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a cushioning support structure (the cavity with contoured surface) that is prepared in advance to prevent pouch collapse. The cavity is designed with a surface that contacts and supports the pouch from below, maintaining its shape throughout use. This beforehand cushioning ensures the pouch remains accessible without requiring complex active support mechanisms during feeding.
3Reliability
If the cap is stored separately from the pouch, then hygiene is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cap storage function with the existing pouch holder structure by incorporating a dedicated cap receptacle into the holder's design. This integration allows the cap to be stored separately from the pouch (maintaining hygiene) while avoiding the need for additional independent storage devices. The cap storage area is combined with the overall containment structure, achieving separation of components without increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are food pouch containers comprising a back portion having an interior cavity; a front portion; a top hole; and a surface dividing the back portion into an upper cavity, inside the back portion, and a lower cavity. In some embodiments, the lower cavity is inside the back portion, while in other embodiments, the lower cavity is an exterior cavity. Also disclosed are food pouch containers comprising a back portion having an interior cavity; a front portion; a top hole; means for contouring the food pouch from a bottom thereof; and means for contouring the food pouch from at least a side thereof.