Storage Container with Segmented Lid to Reduce Food Air Exposure
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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 operated single-handedly.
Innovation Solution
A storage container with a container body, a lid featuring independently operable covering sections, and a dividing member that divides the accommodating space into compartments, allowing partial opening and minimizing air exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lid is completely removed from the container body, then food can be easily accessed, but food is exposed to ambient air causing rapid oxidation and spoilage
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is divided into multiple independently operable covering sections (first covering section and second covering section). Users can open only the necessary section to access specific food items without removing the entire lid, thus minimizing air exposure to other food items while maintaining easy access to the target food.
2Ease of operation
If the entire lid is opened to take out food, then complete access is achieved, but all food in the container is exposed to air simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is segmented into multiple independently operable covering sections. Each section can be opened or closed independently, allowing users to access only the specific compartment or food item needed while keeping other sections closed and protected from air exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different covering sections can be in different states (open or closed) simultaneously based on local needs. This allows selective access to specific areas of the container while maintaining protective coverage over other areas, optimizing both accessibility and freshness preservation.
3Device complexity
If a single lid covers the entire opening, then simple operation is achieved, but selective access to different food items is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is divided into multiple covering sections that can operate independently. This segmentation allows users to open only the specific section needed for accessing particular food items, providing selective access without requiring complex mechanisms - each section functions as a simple, independent unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The covering sections are designed to be dynamically operable, allowing users to adjust the state of each section (open or closed) based on immediate needs. This dynamic capability enables selective access to different food items while maintaining an otherwise closed protective environment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A storage container includes a container body (1), a lid (2), and a dividing member (5). The container body (1) defines an accommodating space (10) that has a top opening (101). The lid (2) is removably disposed on the container body (1), and has two covering sections (21) that cooperatively cover the opening (101). Each one of the covering sections (21) is independently operable to uncover a part of the opening (101). The dividing member (5) is removably disposed in the accommodating space (10) for dividing the accommodating space (10) into two compartments (102).