Spring-Loaded Compartmented Container for Gluten-Free Wafer Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with gluten allergies, such as those with Celiac disease, face challenges in participating in group activities involving food products containing wheat or other additives, like Eucharistic Wafers, due to the lack of efficient methods for separating gluten-free alternatives, posing difficulties for both the individuals and Eucharistic Ministers.
Innovation Solution
A container with a cupped body, hinged lid, stopper mechanism, retaining plate, closure latch, release button, and attachment device is designed to facilitate the separation and administration of gluten-free food items, allowing for easy access and secure storage of gluten-free wafers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ordinary Eucharistic Wafers are used for all parishioners, then the administration is simple and efficient, but individuals with gluten allergies cannot safely participate
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into separate compartments: a first compartment for gluten-free wafers and a second compartment for regular wafers. This physical segmentation allows the Eucharistic Minister to carry both types of wafers separately, preventing contamination and enabling safe administration to both gluten-sensitive and non-gluten-sensitive parishioners.
Solution Approach 2:
The container acts as an intermediary device that bridges the need for simple administration with the requirement for allergen separation. By providing a pre-separated storage system with visual indicators, it mediates between the complexity of allergen management and the simplicity of ritual administration.
2Reliability
If gluten-free wafers are separated from ordinary wafers, then individuals with gluten allergies can safely participate, but the separation and identification process becomes complex and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The first compartment containing gluten-free wafers is provided with a visual indicator (such as color-coded labeling or markings) that distinguishes it from the second compartment containing regular wafers. This visual differentiation allows the Eucharistic Minister to quickly and accurately identify which compartment contains gluten-free wafers without complex procedures, ensuring safe administration to allergic individuals.
Solution Approach 2:
The wafers are pre-separated into distinct compartments before the administration ceremony. This preliminary action of separation eliminates the need for complex sorting or identification procedures during the service, allowing the Eucharistic Minister to simply select the appropriate compartment based on visual indicators and administer the correct wafer type.
3Reliability
If a secure container is used to store gluten-free wafers, then the wafers are protected from contamination, but access to the wafers becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The container features a nested structure with a first compartment for gluten-free wafers and a second compartment for regular wafers, both housed within a single secure container. This nested design provides protection from contamination through the container's sealed structure while maintaining ease of access through the hinged lid that can be opened to reveal both compartments simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The container incorporates a hinged lid that can be opened and closed dynamically. This dynamic feature allows the Eucharistic Minister to securely store the wafers during transport (providing contamination protection) and easily access them during administration by simply opening the hinged lid, without requiring complex unlocking mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a spring-loaded compartmented container that may be used to house Non-Gluten, substantially Gluten-Free, Eucharistic Wafers, and other objects. A goal of the invention is to provide relief to individuals that wish to practice Holy Communion that may have Celiac disease or other Gluten or non-gluten allergies. The compartmented container may contain an attachment device, such as a clip, on at least a side of the container which may be used for mounting purposes, a retaining plate and spring on the interior of the container which may be used to move circular objects to a forward position, and a lid mounted to a hinge that may be activated by a depressible button with a single hand.