Sandwich holder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot dog holders fail to securely transport and eat hot dogs without making a mess, as they often struggle to keep condiments stable during transport and make eating difficult due to their design.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical holder with plungers and a slot that allows incremental exposure of the hot dog for consumption, featuring a handle for single-handed operation and optional feet for stability, made from biodegradable materials like molded pulp or thermoplastic polymers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional open trays are used to hold hot dogs, then the hot dog is accessible for eating, but the hot dog and condiments are not protected during transport and are prone to damage or loss
Solution Approach 1:
The hot dog is nested within a cylindrical holder that provides protective enclosure. The plunger mechanism is nested within the holder, allowing it to push the hot dog forward through the slot without requiring the hot dog to be exposed. This nesting structure protects the hot dog during transport while maintaining accessibility for eating.
Solution Approach 2:
The slot acts as an intermediary between the enclosed hot dog and the external environment. It allows the hot dog to be accessed for eating while maintaining the protective enclosure. The plunger serves as an intermediary mechanism to push the hot dog through the slot without requiring manual handling of the hot dog itself.
2Reliability
If clam-shell style holders are used to protect the hot dog, then the hot dog is more protected during transport, but eating becomes difficult due to off-balance situation when opened
Solution Approach 1:
The holder transitions from a fully enclosed protective state to a functional eating state through the dynamic plunger mechanism. The plunger can be moved to expose the hot dog through the slot while the holder remains stationary and balanced on its base, eliminating the off-balance problem of clam-shell holders.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder provides its own eating mechanism through the integrated plunger and slot system. The user simply needs to push the plunger to access the hot dog, and the holder's base provides automatic stabilization, requiring no additional balancing effort from the user.
3Reliability
If a holder provides full enclosure for safe transport, then the hot dog is protected, but the user cannot easily access the hot dog for consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is segmented into distinct functional zones: the enclosed main body for protection, the slot for controlled access, and the plunger mechanism for operation. This segmentation allows the hot dog to remain protected in the main body while being accessible through the slot when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger mechanism is pre-positioned within the holder, ready to push the hot dog forward through the slot. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for manual handling or opening operations, allowing direct access to the hot dog by simply pushing the plunger.
4Ease of operation
If condiments are placed on top of the hot dog for serving, then the hot dog is ready to eat, but the condiments are prone to spillage and damage during transport
Solution Approach 1:
Condiments are nested within the enclosed space of the holder, positioned around or beneath the hot dog rather than on top. This nesting arrangement protects condiments from spillage during transport while keeping them accessible for serving when the hot dog is pushed forward through the slot.
Data Source
AI summary
A holder for a food product is provided. The holder encloses a food product and includes plungers to move the food product as well as securely store the food product within the holder. The plungers may include a handle to allow a user to move the food product as desired out of the holder to be consumed. The plunger may include a handle that engages a slot in the holder. The holder may include a flat base and/of one or more feet to allow the holder to be self-supporting. The feet may be integrated into the holder or be additional separate components. One or more logos may be included on the holder for advertising or informational purposes.