Lidded containers and components
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Microwavable containers with flimsy lids face issues such as localized steam venting that can cause discomfort, lid breakage from impact, and limitations in top-loading due to lightweight construction, leading to potential damage and inefficient pressure equalization during use.
Innovation Solution
A microwavable lidded container design featuring a lid with a closable vent and corner-like flares acting as handles, allowing for simultaneous and even pressure equalization between the lid and container base, preventing steam from directly impinging on the user's fingers and enhancing the structural rigidity for non-prying removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lid is made from thin flexible plastic to allow peeling removal, then ease of operation is improved, but the lid becomes fragile and prone to breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the lid material by using a crystalline polypropylene resin with specific rigidity characteristics. This parameter change allows the lid to maintain structural integrity while still enabling controlled separation through the peripheral gap mechanism, resolving the contradiction between flexibility for removal and strength for durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the separation process into two distinct phases: initial localized separation at the lift tab creating a peripheral gap, followed by controlled propagation of the gap around the perimeter. This segmentation allows the lid to separate without requiring flexing or prying that would cause breakage, maintaining both ease of operation and structural integrity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the lid is made lightweight for single-use convenience, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the lid cannot withstand impact or top-loading conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a crystalline polypropylene resin with particular rigidity parameters that provide enhanced strength-to-weight ratio. This material parameter change enables the lid to remain lightweight for ease of manufacture while gaining sufficient impact resistance and structural reliability to withstand adverse conditions including top-loading and carrying in bags.
3Ease of operation
If localized steam venting occurs at the lift tab, then ease of operation is improved, but harmful steam is directed toward the user's fingers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the venting function from the separation initiation location. While the lift tab initiates separation, the actual steam venting occurs through the peripheral gap that forms around the entire circumference of the lid. This segmentation distributes steam release away from localized finger contact zones, maintaining ease of operation while reducing harmful steam exposure to the user.
4Loss of substance
If the lid is designed for single-use with lightweight construction, then loss of substance is reduced, but adaptability for multiple loading configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical property parameters of the lid material to achieve enhanced rigidity while maintaining lightweight construction. This parameter change enables the lid to adapt to multiple loading configurations including top-loading and stacking, while still being economical in material usage for single-use applications, thus resolving the contradiction between material efficiency and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A microwavable lidded container assembly comprising a container base having peripheral walls and an open top, a lid able to seat and thereby close the container base at the open top to define an enclosure; characterised in that the lid has a closable vent and the lid has a body adapted to carry a near peripheral seal to be interposed between a downward facing shoulder or plateau of the lid onto the top of a peripheral wall of the base container yet to have outstands at opposed perimeter regions of the lid to act as handle pairs for lifting the lid relative to the container base to deseat the lid therefrom.