Food Pouch Holder Structure for Controlled Flow and Clean Emptying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Food pouches often create messes due to uncontrolled food flow, leading to soiling of children's clothing and surroundings when squeezed, as the flow through the opening is not always controlled.
Innovation Solution
Design of food pouch containers with contoured interiors and side pinches that prevent the pouch from collapsing, allowing easy access to the remaining food without squirting, featuring a hinge mechanism and latches to secure the pouch and prevent vacuum formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the child squeezes the food pouch to access the food, then the food flow through the opening increases, but the food squirts uncontrollably and soils the child's clothing or surroundings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a container as an intermediary device between the child and the food pouch. The container has a controlled opening that the pouch mouthpiece protrudes through, mediating the food flow. When the child squeezes the pouch, the container's structure controls and directs the food flow through its opening, preventing uncontrolled squirting and soiling while still allowing efficient food access.
2Ease of operation
If the pouch is allowed to collapse naturally during use, then the child can access food, but the pouch structure deforms and makes it difficult to empty remaining food
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the flexible nature of the pouch material by placing it within a rigid container structure. The flexible pouch can still deform and collapse as food is consumed, but the rigid container maintains the overall structural integrity and prevents complete collapse. This allows the pouch to remain functional while preserving its shape for complete emptying.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension by placing the two-dimensional pouch within a three-dimensional container. The container provides structural support in multiple dimensions, preventing the pouch from collapsing in ways that would make emptying difficult, while still allowing the pouch to flex and deform as needed for food access.
3Ease of operation
If the pouch opening is made larger to facilitate food flow, then the child can access food more easily, but the food flows too quickly and creates mess
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality control by having the pouch mouthpiece fit within the container opening. The opening is sized to accommodate the mouthpiece while controlling the food flow. This localized control at the opening interface allows easy food access while preventing uncontrolled flow and mess.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are food pouch containers comprising a body having an interior cavity; a door; a hole; and a surface for contouring the bottom of the food pouch. Also disclosed are food pouch containers comprising a back portion having an interior cavity; a cover; a hole; means for contouring the food pouch from a bottom thereof; and means for contouring the food pouch from at least a side thereof. In some embodiments, a surface divides the interior cavity into an upper cavity and the lower cavity.