Hinged Lunchbox With Integrated Phase Change Heating Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lunchboxes for on-the-go food heating are either expensive, limited in heating duration, or cumbersome to handle, lacking flexibility and efficient heating capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A hinged lunchbox design featuring a plastic or metal construction with a pivot hinge, snap-in closure, and integrated heating elements, including a metallic heating film and thermal insulation, allowing for flexible use and efficient food heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an exothermic heating element with separate water and exothermic material pouches is used, then heating function is achieved, but the device becomes expensive and suitable only for stationary operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the water reservoir and exothermic material into a single integrated heating element that can be directly inserted into the food container, eliminating the need for separate pouches and complex activation mechanisms. This merging simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining portability and heating functionality.
2Productivity
If a power connection for a heating element is integrated into the lunchbox, then food heating capability is provided, but the heating process becomes limited or time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition (melting) of a phase change material within the heating element to generate heat. As the phase change material transitions from solid to liquid, it releases latent heat efficiently, providing rapid and sustained heating without requiring extended time periods, thus improving heating productivity while reducing time loss.
3Ease of operation
If a hinged lid design is used for the lunchbox, then ease of operation is improved, but the seal reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a pre-designed sealing groove and sealing bead structure that automatically engages when the lid is closed. The sealing groove is precisely positioned and shaped to guide the sealing bead into place, ensuring reliable sealing action occurs automatically as part of the closing motion, thus maintaining both ease of operation and seal reliability without requiring additional manual sealing steps.
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 lunchbox provides efficient and flexible food heating, with a durable design that ensures easy handling and cleaning, while maintaining a secure seal to prevent food from falling or escaping, and allowing for various heating modes.
Implementation Method 1
The lower shell is provided with a power connection for a heating element in the lower shell, which is disposed in an insulation layer of foam
Implementation Method 2
a heating element in the lower shell, which is disposed in an insulation layer of foam
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a lunchbox for storing, transporting and heating food, in particular food prepared for consumption. This should be easy to handle.The lunchbox comprises an upper shell (1) and a lower shell (2) which connected to one another in a hinged manner on one longitudinal side, wherein a closure is provided on the opposite longitudinal side. A shell having a circumferential and L-shaped angled edge region is arranged in the lower shell (2), which is assigned a thermal insulation and a heating element, wherein a groove for receiving a seal is formed in the circumferential edge region of the shell.