Compartmented Lunch Box Latch for Leak-Free Food Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lunch boxes face challenges in preventing food comingle and effectively containing liquid foods, while also lacking customization options, especially for children, who desire personalized items.
Innovation Solution
A lunch box assembly with integral compartments and a latch system that provides a liquid-tight seal, combined with magnetic attachments for personalization, allowing for secure transport and storage of food without comingle and enabling customization through graphic elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lunch boxes use simple container structures, then manufacturing is easy and cost is low, but they cannot prevent food comingle or effectively contain liquid foods
Solution Approach 1:
The lunch box is divided into multiple separate compartments with individual lids for different food types, and includes dedicated containers for liquid foods. This segmentation prevents food comingle while maintaining manageable structure through modular design where each compartment functions independently.
Solution Approach 2:
Smaller food containers and liquid food containers are designed to nest within the larger lunch box structure. The containers fit into designated spaces, creating a nested arrangement that prevents comingle while keeping the overall structure compact and organized.
2Adaptability or versatility
If lunch boxes are made without customization options, then manufacturing is simpler, but children cannot personalize their items
Solution Approach 1:
The lunch box incorporates removable and interchangeable elements including magnet attachments that can be added or removed to change appearance. This dynamic configuration allows personalization without requiring different manufacturing processes for each customized version, as the base structure remains standardized.
Solution Approach 2:
The lunch box design includes universal attachment mechanisms and standardized compartments that can accommodate various optional accessories and personalization elements. This multi-functionality allows the same base product to serve different personalization needs without requiring custom manufacturing for each variation.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If lunch boxes use durable materials for repeated use, then longevity is improved, but they may not provide adequate liquid-tight sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The lunch box combines durable rigid materials for the main structure with flexible sealing materials for lids and gaskets. This composite construction provides both longevity from the durable outer structure and reliable liquid-tight sealing from the flexible sealing components, resolving the contradiction between durability and seal reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Flexible sealing gaskets and lid materials are used in conjunction with the rigid durable structure. These flexible elements conform to the container openings and create effective seals against liquid leakage, while the rigid body provides structural durability for repeated use.
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 solution effectively prevents food comingle by using extruded compartments and a latch assembly for secure closure, while magnetic attachments allow for personalization, enhancing user experience and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic attachments that allow for personalization
Data Source
AI summary
A lunch box assembly having a main housing having a lid rotatably, hingedly attached to a base to provide access to an opened interior of one or more compartments is disclosed. The lid can have ferrously magnetic material and recesses to accept magnets. The magnets can be shaped to fit the recesses. The base can have compartments aligned with corresponding compartments in the lid. The base and the lid can form one or more closed food storage compartments that separate the contents from the neighboring compartments. A latch on the base and lid can produce a clamping force on a small lidded container or containers placed in one or more of the compartments. The clamping force can clamp the lidded container closed and prevent leakage of fluids in the container.