Nestable Containers With Integrated Vents For Condensation Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food containers fail to effectively vent heat and moisture when stacked, leading to condensation that can spoil food items like fried goods by making them soggy.

Innovation Solution

Design of stackable containers with integrated vents that allow heat and moisture to escape, even when multiple containers are stacked together, using a configuration of vents and vent portals that remain functional in closed positions to prevent condensation from forming on the food.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If containers are stacked together for space-efficient storage and transport, then storage efficiency is improved, but heat and moisture cannot escape from the containers, causing condensation that spoils food

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoidcondensation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The venting function is segmented from the container body through separate vent structures in the lid and corresponding vent portals in the base. This segmentation allows the venting system to operate independently while maintaining the stacked configuration, enabling moisture escape without compromising storage efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Vent structures and vent portals act as intermediary elements between the container interior and exterior. These intermediaries provide a controlled pathway for heat and moisture to escape during stacking, mediating between the conflicting requirements of sealed storage and venting functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If containers are designed with locking mechanisms to secure lids to bases, then container stability is improved, but the containers become difficult to separate when nested or stacked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer stabilityVSAvoidseparation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking system uses resilient (flexible) locking tabs that can dynamically adjust their engagement state. These tabs can be easily deflected to disengage from locking covers when force is applied, allowing quick separation while maintaining stable locked engagement during normal handling and stacking operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking tabs are designed as resilient elements with flexible properties, allowing them to bend and deform during the locking and unlocking processes. This flexibility enables the tabs to engage securely with locking covers while also allowing easy release when needed, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If containers are designed without vents to maintain structural integrity and sealing, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but heat and moisture cannot escape causing food quality degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidheat and moisture accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vent structures are locally integrated into specific areas of the container (lid and base) rather than requiring complex overall structural changes. This localized approach maintains the simplicity of the overall container manufacturing while providing targeted venting functionality where needed to prevent heat and moisture accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Prevents undesirable condensation on food, maintaining the quality and temperature of food products by allowing heat and moisture to vent out, even when containers are stacked, thus keeping the food fresh and appetizing.

Implementation Method 1

a first resilient locking tab can be inserted to engage with a locking cover of a lid of a first container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

vents and vent portals that remain functional in closed positions to prevent condensation from forming on the food

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

allowing heat and moisture to vent out, even when containers are stacked

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS11434048B2Nestable containers

Publication Date: 2022.09.06 GENPAK L L C

AI summary

A container includes a base, a lid, and a hinge that connects the base and lid. The containers may be configured to be vertically stackable in an closed position and still permit venting via vents in the lid of each container. The containers may also be nested in an open position with indentations in the base to facilitate separation of the containers. The indentations may be in one of two positions with an alternating pattern when the containers are in the nested arrangement.