Convertible Container with Hinge-Free Base

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional food containers require separate packaging for shipping and dining, leading to excessive waste, high inventory costs, and a cumbersome system, with existing designs prone to fracture and aesthetically unpleasing due to rigid hinge lines.

Innovation Solution

A foldable container with a base free of hinge lines, featuring a sidewall with transition regions that allow the base to pivot between open and closed positions, and a rim with a contoured surface and boundary edge for structural integrity and leak resistance, enabling secure packaging and conversion into a plate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional containers use separate packaging for shipping and dining, then secure packaging and dining functionality are achieved, but waste and inventory costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure packagingVSAvoidwaste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the shipping container and dining plate into a single integrated structure. The container body serves dual purposes: as a secure closed container for shipping and as an open plate for dining, eliminating the need for separate packaging and reducing waste

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The container is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a protective shipping package and as a dining plate. The same structure provides secure enclosure during transport and open access during consumption, making one object perform multiple functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional containers use rigid hinge lines for folding, then the container can convert between open and closed positions, but the hinge lines create fracture points and aesthetic issues

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconvertibilityVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the traditional rigid hinge line from the container structure. Instead of using a separate hinge component, the folding capability is achieved through integrated score lines and flexible regions directly formed in the container walls, eliminating the fracture-prone hinge element

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The container employs flexible regions with score lines that allow controlled bending and folding. These flexible zones enable the container to pivot between open and closed positions without requiring rigid mechanical hinges, maintaining structural integrity while providing adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS7878355B2Convertible container and plate

Publication Date: 2011.02.01 PACTIV CORP

AI summary

Foldable container including a base having a first base portion and an opposing second base portion. The base has a base surface free of hinge lines between the first base portion and the second base portion. A sidewall surrounds the base and extends generally upward from the base to define a compartment. A rim having a first rim portion and an opposing second rim portion is disposed proximate the top edge of the sidewall. At least one transition region is formed in the sidewall to allow the first base portion to pivot between an open position and a closed position, When in the open position, the container defines a plate. When in the closed position, the first base portion defines at least a portion of a cover relative to the second base portion. A packaged product is also provided, including a foldable container and a cover member removably attached to the rim of the foldable container in the open position to contain a product therein.