Insulated Lunch Box With Removable Thermal Compartments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food storage systems fail to effectively maintain the temperature of hot and cold foods separately and often mix different food items, lacking versatility and ease of use for various meal scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A food storage container with separate interior compartments, an insulated component, and a secure lid system that maintains temperature, includes a removable divider, and features like an opening lever for ease of use, ensuring food items remain separate and at the desired temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single container is used for food storage, then the container is simple in structure, but food items mix together and temperature control is ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple separate compartments with dividers that can be positioned and removed as needed. Each compartment can independently maintain different temperatures and store different food items, preventing mixing while maintaining a relatively simple overall container structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Insulated components are nested within the container structure, with removable inserts that fit inside compartments. This nested arrangement allows for temperature control and food separation without significantly increasing the external dimensions or overall complexity of the container.
2Temperature
If an insulated component is added to maintain temperature, then temperature control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulated component is designed as a removable, separate element that can be extracted from the container when not needed. This allows the container to function as a simple storage box when temperature control is not required, while providing insulation capability when needed, thus managing complexity effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulated component incorporates movable parts such as removable dividers and adjustable inserts that can be repositioned or removed based on the specific storage needs. This dynamic configuration allows the same component to serve multiple functions and adapt to different food storage scenarios without requiring multiple separate devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple compartments are created to separate food items, then food separation is improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The dividers and compartments are designed to be easily movable and reconfigurable. Users can quickly adjust or remove dividers to access food items or reconfigure the container for different meal types, maintaining ease of operation while providing effective food separation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The compartment structure uses simple, discrete dividers that can be independently positioned or removed rather than fixed, permanent partitions. This segmented approach allows users to create separation only when and where needed, simplifying access to food items while maintaining the ability to separate items when required.
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 container effectively keeps food at a consistent temperature, prevents mixing of items, and is user-friendly for various meal types and users, including those with limited hand strength or disabilities, while being durable and portable.
Implementation Method 1
an insulated component that maintains food at a substantially constant temperature over a relatively long period of time
Implementation Method 2
The compartments can be water tight by having the dividing walls seal against the box lid by compressing a soft material, for example, TPU, TPE or silicon, between the tray and the box lid
Implementation Method 3
The opening lever can provide leverage when opening the threaded lid, thereby beneficial to people who lack hand strength due to age or disability, or children who have small hands
Data Source
AI summary
A food storage container is disclosed. The food storage container has a one or more water tight compartments. The food storage container can have an insulated component that can maintain food at substantially constant temperature over a relatively long period of time. The insulated component can be secured to the food storage container with a securing insert that prevents the insulated component from moving or rotating when in use. The insulated component can be removed. The insulated component can have a lid with an opening lever feature that makes it easy for users to open the lid. The food storage container can have a removable divider that can be used to create a plurality of smaller compartments. The food storage container can have a latch and hinge assembly to close the lid and tray. The food storage container can have an integral handle to provide a carrying solution.