Biodegradable Egg Packaging with Ergonomic Handhold and Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current egg packaging materials are not biodegradable, lack mechanical resistance, moisture resistance, and ergonomic design, leading to high toxicity and increased risk of egg breakage during handling and storage.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable egg packaging system made from a composition of gelatinized starch, powdered starch, and natural fibers, with a unique rectangular design featuring a shorter central region for ergonomic handling and an 'X' shaped fitting assembly for secure stacking, manufactured through injection, pouring, or thermoforming processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If plastic materials such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are used for packaging, then mechanical resistance and durability are improved, but biodegradability worsens and environmental harm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials made from natural fibers (such as bagasse, corn stalk, rice straw) combined with binding agents to create packaging that achieves adequate mechanical resistance while being fully biodegradable. This resolves the contradiction by replacing synthetic plastics with composite natural materials that provide both strength and environmental compatibility.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If recycled cardboard is used for packaging, then biodegradability is improved, but mechanical resistance and moisture resistance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances recycled cardboard by combining it with natural fibers and appropriate binding agents to create a composite material that maintains biodegradability while significantly improving mechanical resistance and moisture resistance for egg packaging applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of recycled cardboard through treatment processes and composition adjustments, transforming it from a weak material into one with sufficient mechanical strength and moisture resistance while preserving its biodegradable nature.
3Ease of manufacture
If fully rectangular package design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but ergonomic handling worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric design elements into the otherwise rectangular package by adding curved handhold regions and optimized corner designs. This allows the package to maintain the simplicity of rectangular manufacturing while incorporating ergonomic features that improve grip and handling comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
A biodegradable packaging for storing eggs is provided and includes a package manufactured from the plastic transformation of a biodegradable composition, including at least one source of gelatinized starch, at least one source of powder starch and at least one natural fiber. The embodiments present a new design, improved ergonomics of handhold, high stacking capacity, improved mechanical resistance and moisture resistance over other biodegradable packages, besides high thermal insulation. After consumption of the eggs initially packaged in its interior, the embodiments may be reused as a plant's vase, as a complement to animal feed or as an organic compound.