Collapsible Party Tray Assembly for Stable Stadium-Style Serving
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of large-scale, disposable, and easily transportable themed party snack trays suitable for events like sporting events and picnics, which limits options for serving and displaying food in a visually appealing and functional manner.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible food tray kit comprising a platform and foldable containers with sports-themed indicia, where the containers can be coupled to form different shapes and sizes, including angled openings to resemble a sports stadium, and include adjustable openings for accommodating various food containers, facilitating easy assembly and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If large-scale themed party snack trays are made disposable and easily transportable, then ease of transport and setup is improved, but structural stability and reusability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The snack tray system is divided into multiple detachable components including a base platform, vertical supports, and container sections. Each component can be separately transported and assembled at the event location, enabling easy transport while maintaining structural integrity when assembled. The segmented design allows the large-scale tray to be broken down into manageable pieces without compromising the overall stability of the assembled structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray structure incorporates collapsible and foldable elements that can dynamically transition between a compact transport state and a stable assembled state. The vertical supports and container sections are designed to fold flat for transport but lock into rigid positions when assembled, providing structural stability during use. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction between ease of transport and structural stability.
2Ease of manufacture
If themed indicia are added to snack trays, then visual appeal and event theming are improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The snack tray components utilize color variations and printed graphics to create themed indicia such as stadium seating patterns, team colors, and sports-related imagery. These visual elements are applied through printing or coloring processes during manufacturing, adding visual appeal without requiring complex structural modifications. The theming is achieved through surface treatment rather than structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The themed indicia on the snack trays replicate recognizable sports stadium features and team branding elements. By using simplified copies or representations of these familiar visual elements through printing and graphic design, the trays achieve authentic themed appearance without the manufacturing complexity of creating three-dimensional replicas or intricate structural details.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple foldable containers are assembled to form different shapes, then adaptability to different food items is improved, but assembly time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container system is segmented into standardized modular units that can be quickly assembled in different configurations. Each container module has uniform connection interfaces that allow rapid assembly without complex alignment procedures. This segmentation enables adaptability to different food item sizes and types while minimizing assembly time through standardized, quick-connect design.
Solution Approach 2:
The foldable containers are pre-formed with predetermined fold lines and pre-positioned connection elements that guide the assembly process. The containers arrive at the event location in a compact state with assembly instructions pre-printed on the components themselves. This preliminary preparation reduces on-site assembly time and complexity while maintaining the ability to create various configurations for different food items.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a system and/or method may include a food tray kit. In some embodiments, the food tray kit may include a platform, a plurality of first foldable containers, a plurality of second foldable containers, and a third container. The plurality of first foldable containers may be couplable to the platform. At least some of the plurality of first foldable containers may contain, during use, food. At least some of the plurality of first foldable containers may include an opening cut at an angle to resemble a portion of a sports entertainment stadium. The plurality of second foldable containers may be couplable to the platform. At least some of the plurality of second foldable containers may contain, during use, at least one food container. The third container may be formed by the platform and at least some of the plurality of first foldable containers when coupled to the platform.