Rotating Snack Dispenser Tray with Slidable Window
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snack containment and dispensing apparatuses either allow snacks to spill easily or lack an entertainment aspect, failing to provide both spill resistance and interactive access to snacks.
Innovation Solution
A snack containment and dispensing apparatus featuring a spinning tray with multiple pockets, a lid with a multi-position slidable window, and a plunger button that allows selective rotation of the tray to align pockets with the window, enabling controlled access to snacks while maintaining spill resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If snacks are stored in an open or easily accessible container, then users can quickly access snacks, but snacks are prone to spilling when the apparatus is overturned or moved
Solution Approach 1:
The snack storage is divided into multiple separate pockets on the rotating tray, with each pocket containing individual snacks. This segmentation allows selective access to one snack at a time through the single opening, preventing all snacks from spilling simultaneously while maintaining easy access to the exposed snack.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray is designed to rotate dynamically between locked and unlocked positions. When locked, all pockets are concealed providing spill resistance. When unlocked, the tray rotates to expose one pocket through the opening, providing easy access. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction between spill resistance and ease of access.
2Productivity
If all snacks are visible and accessible at once, then users can choose any snack quickly, but the apparatus lacks entertainment value and becomes mundane
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating tray creates a periodic action where snacks are revealed one at a time in sequence as the tray rotates. This periodic revelation adds an element of surprise and entertainment, transforming the mundane snack selection into an engaging interaction while still allowing quick access to the exposed snack.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating tray acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the snacks. Instead of direct access to all snacks, the tray mediates by selectively revealing one snack at a time, adding entertainment value through the rotation and revelation process while maintaining efficient snack retrieval.
3Reliability
If a rotating mechanism is added to enable selective snack access, then spill resistance and entertainment are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating tray mechanism is designed to be self-servicing through a simple lock/unlock system. The user interacts with a single opening mechanism that automatically rotates the tray to the next position, eliminating the need for complex motors or electronic controls while achieving reliable snack protection and selective access.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism changes the state parameter of the tray from locked to unlocked, triggering the rotation. This simple parameter change (locked/unlocked state) controls the entire snack access process, maintaining low device complexity while achieving the desired spill resistance and selective access functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a snack containment and dispensing apparatus having a plurality of separate snack containment compartments, a preferably transparent lid having an opening therein, and a plunger to index or rotate a tray relative to the lid such that access to a snack compartment and/or compartments is permitted. In an embodiment, the present invention includes a slidable cover for the opening within the lid. The lid connects to a bowl with an angled pressure seal. In an embodiment, the tray is disposed on top of a cylindrical, stackable set of lunch box compartments. The lunch box compartments and tray forming a vertical lunch and snack apparatus that is movable as a single unit.