Squeezable-Snack Pouch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing squeezable snack containers for children and toddlers often result in excessive dispensing and messy situations due to insufficient dexterity, leading to sticky spills.
Innovation Solution
A substantially rigid snack holder with customizable apertures and optional nozzle toppers that allow precise control over snack dispensing, featuring handles, magnets, and flexible straps for secure attachment, and a manual squeezing mechanism for controlled dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible squeezable container is used, then the snack can be dispensed by child's squeezing action, but the child cannot control the dispensing amount precisely resulting in excessive dispensing and mess
Solution Approach 1:
A rigid holder is introduced as an intermediary between the flexible snack container and the child's hand. The holder includes a rigid body with a cavity that receives the flexible container, and a controlled aperture mechanism that mediates the dispensing process. The child squeezes the flexible container, but the actual dispensing is controlled through the aperture in the rigid holder, which prevents uncontrolled flow and allows precise portion control.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing system is segmented into two independent functional components: the flexible snack container that provides the squeezing force, and the rigid holder that provides the control mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function - the flexible container for ease of squeezing and the rigid holder for precise aperture control - while working together to solve the overall problem.
2Measurement precision
If the container is made rigid to prevent over-squeezing, then dispensing control is improved, but the child cannot easily squeeze to dispense the snack
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the advantages of both flexible and rigid structures by combining them in a single system. The flexible snack container maintains its ability to be easily squeezed by the child, while the rigid holder provides the structural integrity and controlled aperture for precise dispensing. The two components work together synergistically, with each compensating for the other's limitations.
3Measurement precision
If a controlled aperture mechanism is added, then dispensing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid holder applies local quality by concentrating the control function in a specific localized area - the aperture region. Rather than making the entire structure complex, the design keeps most of the holder simple and rigid, with the controlled aperture serving as a focused control point. This localized approach to quality control minimizes overall complexity while achieving precise dispensing.
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
Prevents excessive dispensing and sticky spills by allowing precise control over snack release, enhancing usability for young children and toddlers.
Implementation Method 1
the rim may define a plurality of magnets embedded in the rim of the main body and a counterpart plurality of magnets embedded in the lid, wherein the first plurality of the magnets may be configured to magnetically attract the second plurality to removably couple the lid to the main body
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides various example features of a holder configured to retain a squeezable-snack container to help prevent messes from accidental squeezing. The squeezable-snack holder may include a substantially rigid main body having an oval cross-section and defining an internal cavity configured to retain a squeezable snack, wherein the squeezable snack comprises a fruit-sauce pouch, a juice pouch, or a juice box; and a lid configured to removably couple to an upper rim of the main body, wherein the lid may define: a first aperture sized to receive a sauce nozzle of the fruit-sauce pouch; a second aperture sized to receive a first consuming mechanism of the juice pouch; and a third aperture sized to receive a second consuming mechanism of the juice box. In some examples, the lid further may define a fourth aperture sized to receive the second consuming mechanism.