Amusement Article Kit Using Folded Laminar Material

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shell or capsule containers for 'surprises' in food products, such as chocolate eggs, are limited in size, making it impossible to insert articles larger than a few centimeters, such as model airplanes or animals, due to their dimensions, which restricts the variety of possible 'surprises'.

Innovation Solution

A kit comprising an article for amusement, such as a model airplane or animal, produced from laminar material that can be folded and rolled into a barrel-shaped container, using crease lines to facilitate insertion and subsequent assembly into a rigid form, allowing larger items to fit within standard-sized containers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If standard-sized shell containers are used for surprises in food products, then the container dimensions are limited to small sizes (5cm length, 3.5cm diameter), but this restricts the size and variety of articles that can be inserted as surprises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesize of surprise articleVSAvoidcontainer size
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The article for amusement is divided into multiple flat components or layers that can be individually inserted into the container. These segmented parts can be assembled outside the container to form a larger three-dimensional article, effectively bypassing the container size limitation while maintaining the ability to deliver a substantial surprise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from three-dimensional articles to two-dimensional flat components that can be inserted into the container. By flattening the article components, they can pass through the limited container opening and volume, then be assembled into a larger 3D structure outside, effectively using dimensional transformation to overcome size constraints.

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

2Length of moving object

If articles of larger dimensions are attempted as surprises, then the article size increases, but the container cannot accommodate them due to dimensional constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearticle lengthVSAvoidcontainer length
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Long articles are segmented into multiple flat sections or layers that can be stacked or arranged within the container's limited length. Each segment is thin enough to fit within the container, but when assembled together, they form the desired long three-dimensional article.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The article components are designed as flexible thin films or laminar structures that can be compressed and arranged within the container's limited space. These thin film components can be layered or folded to fit within the container length, then assembled into a larger rigid structure outside.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If flat laminar material is used that can be folded along crease lines, then the material can be compressed for insertion into small containers, but the material must transform from flexible to rigid state for functional use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion easeVSAvoidstructural rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The article components dynamically change their mechanical properties based on their state: they are flexible and compressible during insertion into the container, then become rigid when assembled and activated outside the container. This dynamic transition allows the same material to satisfy both insertion ease and structural strength requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical parameters of the laminar material are changed during the process: the material transitions from a flexible, compressible state suitable for insertion to a rigid, structurally sound state for functional use. This parameter change enables the material to adapt to different operational requirements at different stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables the insertion and assembly of larger articles, like model airplanes or animals, into standard-sized containers, expanding the range of possible 'surprises' that can be used in food products, while maintaining structural integrity for functional use.

Implementation Method 1

produced from laminar material that can be folded along a line of folding to give rise to a rigid elongated element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFolding: Folding

Data Source

PatentEP2411107B1Kit with amusement article, and corresponding process
Publication Date: 2014.04.23 MAGIC PRODION GRP
  • EP2411107B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2411107B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2411107B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

A kit comprises a shell container (C) with a vat- like containment part (Cl) and an article for amusement (10, 11) inserted into the shell container (C). The article for amusement (10) comprises at least one elongated element (12, 14, 16, 18) formed by a ribbon- like element rolled up to form a loop and set in the container (C) up against the internal wall of the vat- like containment part (Cl) of the container (C). The aforesaid ribbon-like element has at least one crease line (120, 140, 160, 180) so that the ribbon-like element taken out of the container can be stretched out and folded along the crease line (120, 140, 160, 180) to give rise to a rigid elongated element.