A self-folding box with compartments and carry handle for packaging pizzas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current packaging solutions for pizza slices are inefficient, costly, and difficult to handle, as they often require manual formation, are bulky, and fail to maintain temperature and moisture integrity, leading to increased handling costs and limited accessibility for delivery and storage.

Innovation Solution

A self-folding box with a rhomboid base and compartments that can be easily formed and filled, allowing for efficient storage and transport, featuring a carry handle and made from corrugated or coated cardboard, which can be machine-produced and printed, maintaining pizza warmth and hygiene standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional cardboard boxes are used for pizza slice packaging, then the packaging can be formed quickly, but the boxes are bulky and take up excessive storage and transport space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequick formationVSAvoidstorage and transport volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The box is divided into multiple compartments separated by partitions, allowing efficient arrangement of pizza slices. The flat blank form is segmented into sections that fold into individual compartments, maximizing space utilization while maintaining quick formation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging transitions from a flat 2D blank form to a 3D box structure through folding. The flat blank can be stored in a compressed state and then transformed into the final three-dimensional box shape at the point of use, dramatically reducing storage and transport volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If corrugated cardboard is used for packaging, then the packaging provides good structural strength, but the print quality is poor and handling costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidprint quality and handling cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging uses composite cardboard construction with multiple layers and a polymer coating layer. This composite structure provides the necessary structural strength while allowing for high-quality offset printing on the smooth coated surface, eliminating the print quality issues associated with corrugated cardboard

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Quantity of substance

If the box base is enlarged to accommodate more pizza slices, then more slices can be packaged, but the box becomes difficult to carry and loses temperature faster

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of pizza slicesVSAvoidcarrying convenience and temperature retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The interior of the box is divided into multiple compartments by partitions, allowing efficient arrangement of pizza slices in an organized manner. This segmentation maximizes the use of available space within a compact box footprint, enabling packaging of multiple slices without increasing the overall base dimensions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Pizza slices are arranged vertically within compartments, with slices stacked one above another in a nested configuration. This allows maximum utilization of the box volume while maintaining a compact base size that remains easy to carry

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Weight of stationary object

If lightweight cardboard is used for packaging, then the packaging cost is reduced, but the box cannot maintain its shape during packaging of hot pizza slices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging weight and costVSAvoidshape retention capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging uses composite cardboard construction with multiple layers including a polymer coating layer. This composite structure provides enhanced structural strength and shape retention capability while maintaining relatively low weight and cost, overcoming the limitations of lightweight single-layer cardboard

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

5Adaptability or versatility

If manual formation of packaging is used, then the packaging can be customized, but the packaging time and labor costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging customizationVSAvoidpackaging speed and labor efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging blank is pre-designed and pre-cut with all necessary folding lines, cutting lines, and compartment structures already defined. This preliminary preparation allows the box to be quickly assembled through simple folding and locking actions, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual customization while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

6Volume of moving object

If the packaging is designed to be compact for transport, then storage efficiency improves, but the packaging may not provide sufficient protection for hot pizza slices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport compactnessVSAvoidprotective function for hot slices
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging transitions from a flat 2D blank form for compact storage to a 3D box structure with vertical compartments for protecting hot pizza slices. The folded structure provides adequate height and compartmentalization for protection while maintaining compactness during transport when in flat form

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The box includes multiple compartments separated by partitions that provide structural support and protection for individual pizza slices. The segmented design maintains rigidity and protective function while keeping the overall box compact and efficient in space utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4021814B1A self-folding box with compartments and carry handle for packaging pizzas
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 NIKOLIC IVAN
  • EP4021814B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4021814B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP4021814B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The self-folding pizza packaging box with the compartments and carry handle belongs to the area of transport packaging. The box (1) is made of the folded blank (A), formed by folding and gluing into a flat form of the box (1), and is formed from the upright surfaces in a vertical position. The box (1) is made in the form of a prism with bases (2, 3), parallel lateral panels (4, 4 '), while its other two parallel sides are rectangular flaps (5). The box (1) is formed by folding upwards the lateral panels (4, 4 ') of the rectangular shape along the folding lines (2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2), by straightening the flaps (9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4) which are continued to the lateral panels ( 4, 4 ') and by folding upwards the rectangular parts of the flaps (5) along the folding lines (2.3) so that it is brought to a vertical position to the bases (2, 3) of the rhomboid shape. By folding upwards the lateral panels (4, 4 ') the rhomboid compartments (6, 7) are also straightened, they are pulled in towards the inside of the box (1) in relation to the outer edges of the filling opening. On the flap (5) whose longer side is the folding line (5.1), a cutting line (5.2) is made in which the flap (8) is inserted, made in the middle of the other two parallel sides of the base (3) along the folding line (8.3), thus sealing the box (1) is provided. After putting six slices of pizza, the whole pizza, into the box and closing it, the carry handle (10) is inserted into the box (1) so that the parts (10.3) are inserted between the rectangular parts of the flap (5) and the flaps (9.2, 9.4), the parts (10.2). ) rest on the lateral panels (4, 4 '), and the part (10.1) is placed diagonally on the surface of the base (3). The application contain the embodiment of the box (1) which is the folded blank (A1).