Lunchbox with belt strap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lunch boxes do not provide a safe and easy-to-use cutting board solution, especially under harsh weather and environmental conditions, as they require manual holding and lack a hygienic surface for food preparation and cutting.

Innovation Solution

A lunch box design featuring a detachable cutting board with a strap that can be tightened onto the container using a webbing system, allowing the board to be used as a cutting surface without a table, with features like a rotary joint to prevent twisting and adjustable length for secure attachment, and made from materials like stainless steel and hardwood for durability and hygiene.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a cutting board is integrated into the lunch box lid, then food preparation can be done without a table, but the cutting board may fall out when the lid is turned over

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefood preparation capabilityVSAvoidcutting board retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting board is designed as a separate, removable component from the lid rather than being permanently integrated. This segmentation allows the board to be easily inserted and secured in the lid's recess, preventing it from falling out when the lid is inverted while still allowing removal for cleaning purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting board fits into a recess or cavity within the lid structure, creating a nested arrangement where the board is housed within the lid's internal space. This nesting provides mechanical retention and prevents the board from dislodging during normal use and inversion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the cutting board is securely retained in the lid, then it won't fall out, but it becomes difficult to remove for cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting board retentionVSAvoidboard removal for cleaning
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting board is designed as a separate, removable component from the lid rather than being permanently integrated. This segmentation allows the board to be easily inserted and secured in the lid's recess, preventing it from falling out when the lid is inverted while still allowing removal for cleaning purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection between the cutting board and lid is designed to be dynamically adjustable - easily insertable and removable by the user, yet providing secure retention during use. The board can be quickly placed into and removed from the lid's recess without requiring tools or complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the lid edge protrudes high to contain food, then food is held within the lid, but it becomes difficult to cut food on the cutting board

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefood containmentVSAvoidcutting operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lid edge is designed with varying heights or profiles - higher at the perimeter to contain food and lower at the cutting surface area to provide adequate cutting clearance. This local variation in edge height allows the lid to simultaneously perform both food containment and facilitate comfortable cutting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Device complexity

If manual holding of the cutting board is required, then the board can be used without additional parts, but it is difficult to use under harsh weather conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of useVSAvoidusability in harsh conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting board is merged with the lunch box lid assembly through the recess-fit design, creating an integrated unit where the board is securely retained in the lid. This combination eliminates the need for separate holding mechanisms or additional parts while providing stable, hands-free operation during cutting, even in windy or harsh environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3656246B1Lunchbox with belt strap
Publication Date: 2021.09.01 SACKL MARTIN
  • EP3656246B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3656246B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a lunchbox comprising a container (1), a corresponding lid (2) and a board (3) which is detachably received in the lid (2), wherein the lid (2) has at least one strap (4), wherein the lid (2) can be stretched onto the container (1) by means of the at least one strap (4), characterized in that the at least one strap (4) is detachably connected to the lid at least at one end.