Integral Carton and Tray Structure for Automatic Food Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional packaging for pre-prepared foods often requires users to vent plastic films manually, which can lead to improper venting and waste generation, and combines multiple packaging components that are not eco-friendly.
Innovation Solution
A multi-panel lidding device with integrated venting systems and thermoplastic coatings that allows for easy venting and sealing, using foldable panels to enclose food containers, and can be made from recyclable materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional plastic film packaging is used, then the food container can be sealed, but the user must manually vent the film which can lead to improper venting and waste generation
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging system performs venting automatically through the porous barrier layer that allows steam to pass through during cooking, eliminating the need for manual user intervention and ensuring proper venting without waste
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical venting action (cutting or puncturing with tools) is replaced by a passive diffusion mechanism where steam naturally passes through the porous barrier layer during the cooking process
2Reliability
If multiple packaging components (plastic film and packaging box) are used, then the food container can be properly sealed and protected, but this creates undesirable waste
Solution Approach 1:
The lid and tray are merged into a single integrated packaging structure made from one piece of cardboard with different functional zones, eliminating the need for separate plastic film and box components while maintaining sealing integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The single cardboard structure performs multiple functions: the lid portion provides sealing, the tray portion contains the food, and the integrated design allows for both protection and easy disposal as one unit
3Ease of manufacture
If a thermoplastic coating is applied to the panel, then the panel can be heat sealed to the food container, but this may affect recyclability
Solution Approach 1:
The coating is applied selectively only to specific sealing areas rather than the entire surface, changing the parameter of coating coverage to maintain recyclability while providing necessary heat sealing functionality where required
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
Provides efficient, eco-friendly packaging that allows for easy venting and handling of hot foods, reducing waste and improving user convenience while maintaining product integrity during cooking.
Implementation Method 1
heat sealing the thermoplastic heat seal coating to the container
Implementation Method 2
An insulation space can be defined between the food container and at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth panels
Data Source
AI summary
A lidding device (102) includes a first panel (104) comprising a lid (106) configured to cover and seal a food container (108). A second panel (110) is foldably connected to the first panel. A third panel (112) includes a bottom panel opposite the lid, wherein the second panel is foldably connected to the first panel and the third panel. A fourth panel (114) is foldably connected to at least one of the first panel and the third panel, wherein the fourth panel and second panel are configured to at least partially enclose a food container between the second and fourth panels.