Composite Egg Package Structure for Cushioning and Printability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Egg packages face challenges in providing adequate cushioning and stiffness for safe handling, while also being receptive to decorative printing, as existing fibrous material packages like molded pulp lack sufficient support and are difficult to decorate, and stiffer materials like chipboard do not provide adequate stiffening.
Innovation Solution
An egg package design featuring a bottom part formed by suction molding of fibrous material and a cover part made of cardboard, with a flat display surface and specific angle formations for easy decoration and handling, ensuring sufficient cushioning and rigidity for safe transport and display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If moulded pulp is used for the egg package, then adequate cushioning and shock resistance are provided, but the material is too soft to provide adequate support during transport and handling
Solution Approach 1:
The egg package uses a composite structure combining moulded pulp (for cushioning) with a separate cover part made of stiffer material. This composite approach allows each material to perform its optimal function - the pulp absorbs shocks while the cover provides structural support during transport and handling.
2Strength
If chipboard is used for the cover part, then stiffer support is provided, but the construction does not provide adequate stiffening support for the bottom part
Solution Approach 1:
The egg package is divided into separate functional parts: a bottom part made of moulded pulp and a cover part made of chipboard. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the bottom part provides cushioning while the cover part provides stiffness, and their connection through the elongated flap creates the needed structural support.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the rough and fuzzy surface of moulded pulp is used, then beneficial cushioning effect is achieved, but the surface is not receptive for lithographic decoration and printing
Solution Approach 1:
Different surface qualities are assigned to different parts of the package. The bottom part made of moulded pulp retains its rough, fuzzy surface for optimal cushioning, while the cover part made of chipboard provides a smooth surface that is receptive to lithographic decoration and printing. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between cushioning and printability.
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
The egg package achieves error-free handling by packaging machinery, enhanced visibility for consumer messaging, and easy customization through cardboard decoration, while maintaining adequate cushioning and support for eggs during transport and storage.
Implementation Method 1
a bottom part formed by suction moulding of a fibrous material
Data Source
AI summary
The invention pertains to an egg package comprising: a bottom part (4) formed by suction molding of a fibrous material, the bottom part (4) comprising a rear side (28), a front side (30), two end sides (32), and a plurality of egg-receiving compartments (34) having non-planar side surfaces (35) so as to match at least partially the outer contours of an egg, the plurality of compartments (34) being arranged in at least two parallel rows with upwardly extending projections (36) located between the rows of compartments (34), a cover part (6) comprising two substantially planar end surfaces (10), substantially planar rear (48) and front surfaces (12), and a substantially planar top surface (14), said cover part (6) being formed by cardboard and connected to the bottom part (4) via an elongated flap (40) extending from the rear side (28) of the bottom part (4), said elongated flap (40) being provided with a weakening in the transition between said elongated flap (40) and rear side (28) of the bottom part (4), said weakening forming a hinge (50) so as to allow the cover part (6) to move between an open position and a closed position, said elongated flap (40) at least in part overlapping the inner side (42) of said rear surface (48) of the cover part (6), said bottom part (4) comprising a retainment flap (44) hinged to the front side (30) of the bottom part (4), said retainment flap (44) comprising at least one outwardly extending retainment projection (26) for locking engagement with one or more co-operating apertures (46) in the front surface (12) of the cover part (6), said cover part (6) further comprising a substantially flat display surface (16) formed in the region between the top surface (14) and front surface (12) of the cover part (6), said substantially flat display surface (16) meeting the top surface (14) at a first obtuse angle, thereby forming a first edge (18), and said substantially flat display surface (16) meeting the front surface (12) at a second obtuse angle, thereby forming a second edge (20). The invention also pertains to a kit of parts comprising a bottom part for an egg package and a blank of cardboard material comprising preformed cutting and folding lines, the blank being configured such that, when cut and folded along said cutting and folding lines, it forms a cover for said bottom part.