Single-use food preparation container assemblies, systems and methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container systems for food processing lack effective mechanisms for ensuring tamper evidence and preventing reuse, particularly when used with intelligent driving devices, which can lead to safety and hygiene issues.
Innovation Solution
A container system featuring a single-use cover seal and externally rotatably drivable rotary engagement assembly (SUCSERDREA) with a reuse inhibiting portion, providing both human and machine sensible tamper-evident and re-use preventing fluid sealing engagement, utilizing a multifunctional tamper indicating and re-use prevention element (MTIRPE) that changes operational orientations to indicate usage and prevent reprocessing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional container system is used without specialized sealing mechanisms, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of tamper evidence and reuse prevention deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the seal component: it provides both static sealing (when blade is stationary) and dynamic sealing (when blade rotates), integrates tamper evidence functionality, and incorporates reuse prevention mechanisms. This merging of functions into a single component achieves high reliability without requiring multiple separate mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal transitions between different operational states based on blade rotation: in the static state (blade not rotating), the seal engages with the processing device to provide sealing and tamper evidence; in the dynamic state (blade rotating), the seal disengages to allow removal. This dynamic behavior enables reliable reuse prevention without complex additional mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a static sealing mechanism is used, then the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the reliability of sealing during blade rotation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is designed to automatically adapt its position based on blade rotation status. When the blade rotates, centrifugal force and mechanical interaction cause the seal to naturally disengage, maintaining sealing effectiveness without requiring high precision control of seal orientation during dynamic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal's engagement parameter changes based on operational state: during static conditions, the seal engages tightly with the processing device for effective sealing; during rotation, the dynamic forces change the engagement parameter, causing natural disengagement. This parameter adaptation maintains sealing reliability across different operational phases without demanding high manufacturing precision.
3Productivity
If the container allows multiple uses, then the productivity increases, but the reliability of food safety and hygiene deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The container system is designed as a single-use disposable unit. The cup body, lid, and blade are intended for one-time use only, ensuring food safety and hygiene by eliminating the risk of contamination from repeated use. After the single processing operation, the entire assembly is discarded, preventing any possibility of reuse-related contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The reuse inhibiting portion dynamically changes orientation based on processing history. After the container undergoes the processing operation, the seal and blade assembly rotate to a third operative orientation that mechanically prevents re-engagement with the processing device. This dynamic state change ensures the container cannot be reused, maintaining food safety without requiring active monitoring or control systems.
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 system ensures tamper evidence and prevents reuse by changing operational orientations, providing a secure and hygienic food processing environment, ensuring that containers are used only once and cannot be re-engaged with the processing device after initial use.
Implementation Method 1
when the blade is rotated relative to the lid, the sealing skirt is slightly spaced from the annular sealing surface by centrifugal force of rotation of the blade
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A product preparation system and method wherein a single-use product container assembly, including a cup body and a cup closure, the cup closure including a rotatable blade, and a container processor including a container support and an electric motor including a drive shaft are employed to process contents of the container assembly.