Storage Container with Segmented Lid for Reduced Food Oxidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional food storage containers require complete lid removal for access, exposing food to ambient air, leading to rapid oxidation and spoilage, especially when single-handed operation is needed.
Innovation Solution
A storage container design featuring a container body with a top opening covered by two independently operable lid sections and a dividing member that divides the space into compartments, allowing partial opening of the lid for access without exposing the entire opening, minimizing air contact and using ventilation control units to manage air exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lid is completely removed from the container body for taking out food, then the food can be easily accessed, but the food is exposed to ambient air causing rapid oxidation and spoilage
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is divided into a first lid portion and a second lid portion that can be independently opened. This segmentation allows only the necessary portion of the opening to be uncovered for food access, while the remaining portion stays covered to protect food from air exposure and oxidation.
2Ease of operation
If the top opening is completely uncovered for taking out food, then food removal is convenient, but all food in the container is exposed to ambient air
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is segmented into independently operable first and second lid portions. This allows selective opening of only the required section for food removal, maintaining food freshness in the covered portion while enabling convenient access to the exposed portion.
3Device complexity
If a single lid covers the entire opening, then the structure is simple, but single-handed operation becomes inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is divided into a first lid portion and a second lid portion connected by a connecting portion. This segmentation enables single-handed operation where one hand can hold the container body steady while the other hand opens only the necessary lid portion for access.
4Ease of operation
If the lid is completely removed for food access, then operation is simple, but the container provides no protection against oxidation
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is segmented into independently operable first and second lid portions. This allows the container to maintain protection against oxidation in the covered portion while enabling simple access operation in the opened portion.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the opening have different coverage states - the first opening portion may be uncovered for access while the second opening portion remains covered for protection. This local differentiation of coverage quality optimizes both access convenience and oxidation prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage container includes a container body, a lid, and a dividing member. The container body defines an accommodating space that has a top opening. The lid is removably disposed on the container body, and has two covering sections that cooperatively cover the opening. Each one of the covering sections is independently operable to uncover a part of the opening. The dividing member is removably disposed in the accommodating space for dividing the accommodating space into two compartments.