Reversible Lid Food Container with Flexible Membrane for Air Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Food storage containers face issues with air-related oxidation leading to faster spoilage due to trapped air when resealing leftover food, as the existing containers do not effectively manage the volume of air inside, causing oxidation and spoilage.
Innovation Solution
A variable volume container design with a reversible lid and a sealing film that allows for adjustment of the internal space to minimize air, using a snap-fit mechanism and a ventable seal to manage air entry and exit, and a film with low oxygen permeability to preserve freshness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the container uses a fixed volume design with a lid, then the container structure is simple, but air remains trapped inside causing oxidation and faster spoilage
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs a flexible membrane bottom that can dynamically adjust its shape and volume. When food is added or removed, the membrane flexes to accommodate changes in food quantity, allowing the container to expand or contract its internal volume. This dynamic adaptation enables the container to minimize trapped air space while maintaining structural integrity, thereby reducing oxidation and preserving food freshness without requiring complex mechanical components
Solution Approach 2:
The container utilizes a flexible membrane material that changes its physical state between rigid and flexible based on environmental conditions. The membrane transitions from a flexible state during normal use (allowing volume adjustment) to a rigid state during sterilization (maintaining structural stability). This parameter change enables the container to achieve both adaptability for air management and stability for manufacturing and cleaning, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and effectiveness
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the container allows volume adjustment to minimize air, then oxidation is reduced, but the container structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs a flexible membrane bottom made of thin film material that can flex and adapt to different food volumes. This flexible shell replaces complex mechanical volume adjustment mechanisms with a simple, elegant film-based solution. The membrane's flexibility allows it to conform to the food quantity, minimizing air space and reducing oxidation, while maintaining manufacturing simplicity and ease of cleaning
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane bottom performs the volume adjustment function automatically without requiring external control mechanisms. As food is added or removed, the membrane self-adjusts its shape and position to minimize trapped air space. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex actuators, sensors, or control systems, achieving effective oxidation prevention through a passive, structure-free approach
3Ease of manufacture
If the container uses a rigid structure for easy manufacture, then manufacturing is simple, but air management and freshness preservation are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane bottom is manufactured as a pre-formed component that can be easily integrated into the rigid container body. The membrane's flexibility is inherent to its material composition rather than requiring complex assembly, maintaining ease of manufacture. During use, the membrane's ability to flex allows effective air management and freshness preservation, thus achieving both manufacturing simplicity and functional reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The container combines rigid materials for the body (providing structural stability and ease of manufacture) with flexible membrane material for the bottom (providing adaptability for air management). This composite structure leverages the advantages of both material types: the rigid body ensures easy manufacturing and durability, while the flexible membrane enables dynamic volume adjustment and oxidation prevention, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and freshness preservation
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 reduces air-related oxidation by allowing controlled air management and maintaining freshness through the adjustable volume and sealing mechanisms, extending the shelf life of stored food.
Implementation Method 1
a film with low oxygen permeability to preserve freshness
Implementation Method 2
using a snap-fit mechanism and a ventable seal to manage air entry and exit
Data Source
AI summary
Containers for storing food in a storage compartment may include a base portion of the container. The storage compartment is sealed with a film to get the food stored in the storage compartment fresh. The container further includes a reversible lid that is able to attach to the base portion of the container in two different configurations. In a first configuration the reversible lid attaches to the base portion without affecting the seal created by the film. In a second configuration the reversible lid attaches to the base portion when the lid is inverted and the film is removed from the base portion.