Lid having a compartment and container comprising the same

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional portable food and condiment kits are cumbersome and messy, with separate packaging for salad dressing that is difficult to handle and dispose of, and existing solutions do not provide a leakproof way to mix salad and dressing on-the-go effectively.

Innovation Solution

A lid for a food container featuring a dressing storage compartment with a shutter that automatically opens to dispense salad dressing without user intervention, allowing easy mixing and cleaning, and is designed to be leakproof and easy to carry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If salad dressing is stored in a separate packet or sachet, then the salad and dressing can be transported separately, but the dispensing process becomes cumbersome and messy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakproof storageVSAvoiddispensing convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the dressing storage compartment with the lid structure, integrating two previously separate components (dressing packet and container lid) into a unified system. The dressing compartment is received within the lid's window, creating a combined storage and dispensing unit that eliminates the need for separate packets while maintaining leakproof storage and enabling easy dispensing through the lid's integrated shutter mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shutter mechanism is designed to be automatically opened by the dressing compartment itself when the compartment moves relative to the lid. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention to open the dressing packet, allowing the dressing to dispense automatically when needed while remaining securely sealed during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a sealed dressing compartment is used, then leakproof storage is achieved, but user intervention is required to open it causing mess

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakproof storageVSAvoidmess during dispensing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter mechanism is designed to be automatically opened by the dressing compartment itself when the compartment moves relative to the lid. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention to open the dressing packet, allowing the dressing to dispense automatically when needed while remaining securely sealed during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The shutter acts as an intermediary component between the sealed dressing compartment and the external environment. It maintains the seal during transport but can be automatically displaced to allow controlled dispensing, mediating between the need for secure storage and the need for clean dispensing without direct user contact with the dressing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional separate packaging is used, then disposal is problematic and environmentally detrimental, but integrated design complicates the structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental friendlinessVSAvoidlid structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the dressing storage compartment with the lid structure, integrating two previously separate components (dressing packet and container lid) into a unified system. The dressing compartment is received within the lid's window, creating a combined storage and dispensing unit that eliminates the need for separate packets while maintaining leakproof storage and enabling easy dispensing through the lid's integrated shutter mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lid structure serves multiple functions: it acts as the container closure, provides structural support for the dressing compartment, and incorporates the dispensing mechanism through the shutter. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall structure while achieving environmental friendliness through eliminated packaging waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11072472B2Lid having a compartment and container comprising the same

Publication Date: 2021.07.27 KINGS FLAIR MARKETING

AI summary

The Applicant's invention provides a lid for a food container including a cover, a dressing storage compartment, and a shutter attached to the cover or the dressing storage compartment for sealingly closing the dressing storage compartment. The shutter is configured to allow dispensing of the dressing contained in the dressing storage compartment when the dressing storage compartment is caused to move up relative to the cover, without the need of opening the lid. The Applicant's invention also provides a food container including the lid.