Cupcake Bouquet Frame with Segmented Holders for Stable Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for presenting and packaging cupcakes lack an aesthetically pleasing, easy-to-assemble, and cost-effective method that prevents icing from melting and cupcakes from falling, while also allowing for decorative elements and stable display.

Innovation Solution

A cupcake bouquet frame with a releasably coupled upper cover and lower base, featuring spatially distributed cupcake holders that transform from a continuous surface to individual baskets, along with a stalk for message display and decorative material retention, providing stability and aesthetic appeal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If cupcakes are placed in a simple container, then the container is easy to manufacture and cost-effective, but it lacks aesthetic appeal and does not resemble a flower bouquet

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease to assembleVSAvoidaesthetic appeal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is divided into multiple individual cupcake holders distributed across the upper cover, each holder being a separate functional unit. This segmentation allows the frame to be assembled by simply placing cupcakes into individual slots rather than requiring complex assembly, while the collective arrangement creates the flower bouquet aesthetic

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The upper cover serves multiple functions: it provides the structural base for the frame, contains the cupcake holders, and when viewed from above with cupcakes inserted, creates the visual appearance of a flower bouquet. This multi-functionality achieves aesthetic appeal without requiring additional separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If the frame structure is simple, then it is cost-effective and easy to manufacture, but it cannot prevent melted icing from dropping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost-effectiveVSAvoidprevent icing from dropping

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The upper cover is designed with localized cupcake holders at specific positions rather than a complete enclosure. This local quality approach provides icing containment exactly where needed (at the cupcake placement positions) while keeping the overall structure simple and cost-effective by not requiring full coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the frame is lightweight and simple, then it is easy to assemble, but it cannot prevent cupcakes from falling through the openings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeasy to assembleVSAvoidprevent cupcakes from falling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cupcake holders are designed to be dynamic in function - they provide open access for easy insertion of cupcakes from above, but the structure of the holders (with sides extending downward) creates a mechanical constraint that prevents cupcakes from falling through. This dynamic behavior achieves both ease of operation and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the frame structure is minimal, then it is easy to assemble, but it cannot stabilize the cupcake bouquet and prevent tipping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeasy to assembleVSAvoidstability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The lower base is designed with an extended portion that protrudes beyond the main body of the frame. This extended portion acts as a counterweight that lowers the center of gravity and provides stability, preventing the frame from tipping while keeping the overall structure simple and easy to assemble as a single piece

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

5Ease of operation

If the frame allows easy cupcake retrieval, then it is easy to operate, but it may not retain decorative materials like ribbons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeasy cupcake retrievalVSAvoidretain decorative materials

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The frame integrates multiple functions into unified structures: the upper cover combines cupcake holding with decorative material retention through integrated slots; the lower base combines structural support with ribbon retention through the extended portion that can hold ribbons. This merging achieves both ease of cupcake retrieval and retention of decorative materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12133600B2Configurable bakery bouquet display

Publication Date: 2024.11.05 LOYO HEATHER KARINA

AI summary

Apparatus and associated methods relate to packing and presenting confectionaries. In an illustrative example, a cupcake bouquet frame may be assembled by (releasably) coupling an upper cover and a lower base. The cupcake bouquet frame, for example, may include spatially distributed cupcake holders on a continuous surface of the upper cover. The cupcake holders may be formed by following cutlines disposed on the upper cover. In a stowage mode, the cupcake holders may be substantially continuous with the continuous surface. In a display mode, when a cupcake is inserted into a cupcake holder, a portion of the continuous surface is displaced to support a bottom of the cupcake while remaining in physical connection to the continuous surface. Various embodiments may advantageously provide an easy to assemble, aesthetically pleasing, and/or cost-effective frame for creating a cupcake bouquet that resembles a flower bouquet.