Lined Food Container Structure for Fast Forming, Denesting, and Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for food products lack efficient methods for forming a structure that allows for easy assembly, denesting in stacked arrangements, and effective sealing, particularly when subjected to heating processes.
Innovation Solution
A container design comprising a base layer and a liner, with features such as a flange, sidewall, and denesting elements, formed from a blank material that includes a central panel and foldable panels, allowing for efficient assembly and separation in stacked configurations, and a smooth surface for sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If containers are stacked for storage and transport, then storage efficiency is improved, but separation (denesting) becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The container design incorporates nested features where inner containers can be placed within outer containers, with complementary geometric features (such as flanges and recesses) that enable stable stacking while maintaining ease of separation through controlled interference fits
2Productivity
If containers are designed for rapid formation at high rates, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into modular components (base layer, liner, flange sections) that can be formed and assembled independently at high speeds, with standardized interfaces that ensure sealing precision through consistent geometric relationships rather than requiring high-precision monolithic forming
Solution Approach 2:
Critical sealing features and geometric interfaces are pre-formed in the blank material before container formation, ensuring that sealing accuracy is built into the structure itself rather than requiring high-precision adjustment during final assembly
3Adaptability or versatility
If containers are subjected to heating processes, then food heating function is improved, but structural integrity may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The container uses composite construction with a base layer and a liner layer that can be made from materials with different thermal and mechanical properties, allowing the structure to withstand heating temperatures while maintaining structural integrity through the combined characteristics of the composite layers
Data Source
AI summary
A container for holding a food product. The container can comprise a base layer and a liner at least partially attached to an inner surface of the base layer, a flange comprising a central panel, an opening extending in the central panel, and a sidewall comprising a plurality of panels. Each panel of the plurality of panels can be foldably connected to the central panel, and at least one panel can be foldably connected to the central panel along the opening. A bottom wall can comprise at least first and second bottom panels foldably connected to respective panels. The second bottom panel at least partially overlaps the first bottom panel so that the second bottom panel extends along the inner surface of the base layer, and the first bottom panel extends along the inner surface of the base layer at least via a cutout in the second bottom panel.