Spoon-Attachable Insect-Proof Container Lid Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food container lids fail to effectively seal containers when a serving spoon is left inside, leading to contamination risks and a high likelihood of the spoon being lost, especially during travel.

Innovation Solution

A spoon-attachable, insect-proof container lid system made of food-grade material with a main frame that seals over the container opening and features a dedicated opening for the spoon, ensuring secure closure and reducing contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the container lid is left partially open to accommodate a serving spoon, then the spoon can be easily accessed, but insects can enter and contaminate the food

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespoon accessibilityVSAvoidinsect contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is segmented into multiple components: a main body portion, a spoon opening portion with a separate spoon rest, and a flexible sealing portion. This segmentation allows the spoon to be accommodated in a dedicated space while the rest of the lid maintains its sealing function to prevent insect entry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible sealing portion acts as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the lid body and the spoon opening. This sealing portion can deform to accommodate the spoon while maintaining the barrier function against insects and contaminants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the serving spoon is left extending outwardly from the container, then it is easily accessible, but the spoon is likely to be lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespoon accessibilityVSAvoidspoon retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spoon nesting portion creates a nested structure where the spoon fits into a dedicated cavity or recess in the lid. This nesting arrangement allows the spoon to be stored securely within the lid structure itself, preventing loss while maintaining easy accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the container lid is completely closed to prevent contamination, then hygiene is improved, but the serving spoon cannot be placed inside

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood contaminationVSAvoidspoon placement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lid exhibits local quality differentiation: the majority of the lid surface maintains a sealed, closed structure for hygiene, while a specific localized area (spoon opening portion) provides access for the spoon. This localized opening minimizes the compromise to the overall sealing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The lid structure is divided into sealed portions and an unsealed spoon access portion. The flexible sealing portion segments the boundary between these areas, allowing it to deform locally to accommodate the spoon while maintaining seals in other areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11827434B2Insect proof container lid systems

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 DELROSARIO II ERNEST

AI summary

The present invention relates to a spoon attachable container lid, including at least one main frame for fitting over an opened top of a container, a means for sealing the main frame on the opened top of the container, a spoon and an opening in the main frame for fitting the spoon. The complete system is made of food grade plastic and reduces the chances of contamination during eating or serving the food items kept in the container.