Self-Closing Bulk Food Container With Dead-Space-Free Interior
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bulk food containers often suffer from issues such as open lids allowing contaminants to enter and food spoilage due to stale air, difficulty in filling without spilling, and inaccessible 'dead space' leading to food staling.
Innovation Solution
A self-closing container with a dampened hinging lid and suction cup mechanism to maintain the lid open, a funnel-shaped charging aperture to prevent spilling, and an interior shape matching the scoop to minimize dead space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lid is made easy to open for customer access, then ease of operation is improved, but the lid may remain open too long allowing contamination and spoilage
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup is pre-positioned on the container wall at the optimal location to hold the lid open during the dispensing operation. This preliminary positioning ensures the lid remains open long enough for customers to access food but closes automatically when no longer needed, preventing contamination and spoilage.
Solution Approach 2:
The dampened hinging mechanism provides self-closing functionality without requiring customer intervention. The lid automatically returns to the closed position after being held open by the suction cup, eliminating the need for customers to manually close the lid and ensuring consistent sealing to prevent contamination.
2Loss of substance
If the charging aperture is made small to prevent spilling, then loss of substance is reduced, but filling difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging lid is designed to be movable between a closed position (for sealing during storage) and an open position (for filling). The dampened hinging mechanism controls the lid's movement to prevent sudden opening that could cause spilling, while still allowing easy access for filling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The funnel-shaped charging aperture acts as an intermediary structure that guides foodstuff into the container. The funnel shape concentrates the filling flow and directs it precisely into the container opening, preventing spilling while maintaining ease of filling.
3Productivity
If the container interior is shaped to match the scoop, then productivity is improved by eliminating dead space, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container interior features a localized scooped-shaped depression at the bottom portion where dead space would normally exist. This localized geometric modification follows the contour of the scoop to eliminate inaccessible food areas, while the rest of the container maintains simple cylindrical geometry for ease of manufacturing.
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 prevents contamination, reduces spoilage by maintaining air-tightness, facilitates easy filling, and ensures all food is accessible, thereby extending the freshness of stored foodstuffs.
Implementation Method 1
a suction cup affixed thereto which is adapted to hold the access lid in an open position for a predetermined period of time by forming a breakable seal with said access lid
Implementation Method 2
The dampened hinging means preferably comprises a dampening means which co-operates with a pinion wherein said pinion interacts with an arm which is attached to the access lid
Implementation Method 3
the upper element forms an airtight seal with the body of the container
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a novel container (1) for holding foodstuffs. The container is of the type used for a holding bulk food product to be dispensed by a self serving customer in the bulk food section of a supermarket or health food establishment. The container includes a self closing lid (2) and is specially shaped to avoid the existence of a “dead space” which can lead to product in that portion becoming stale.