Die-Cut Paper Spoon with Fold Lines for Ice Cream
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disposable ice cream spoons made of plastic, bioplastic, or wood are not recyclable in paper bins and will be banned due to EU regulations, leading to disposal issues and increased material usage and weight in transport and storage.
Innovation Solution
A 2D die-cut paper spoon with folding lines that transforms into a 3D shape for use, allowing easy insertion under a paper lid and reducing the need for additional components, made with cardboard and a minimal plastic film for impermeability, thereby reducing plastic usage and simplifying recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disposable spoons are made of plastic, bioplastic, or wood, then they can provide sufficient strength and rigidity for use, but they cannot be disposed of in paper recycling bins and will be banned due to EU regulations
Solution Approach 1:
The spoon is made of a composite material consisting of a paper base layer reinforced with a plastic coating layer. The paper base provides structural framework and recyclability, while the plastic coating provides moisture resistance and sufficient mechanical strength for holding ice cream. This composite structure allows the spoon to meet both strength requirements and recycling compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by transitioning from pure plastic or wood to a paper-plastic composite. The paper component dominates the composition (greater than 50% by weight), changing the overall material classification to paper-based, which enables disposal in paper recycling bins while maintaining functional properties through the plastic reinforcement layer.
2Strength
If traditional disposable spoons are made of plastic or wood, then they can maintain structural integrity, but they increase the weight and bulk of the finished product for transport and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material density parameter by using paper (density ~0.7-0.9 g/cm³) as the base material instead of plastic (density ~1.0-1.4 g/cm³) or wood (density ~0.3-0.8 g/cm³). The paper-plastic composite achieves comparable structural integrity with reduced overall density, lowering the weight of the finished product for more efficient transport and storage.
3Ease of operation
If a spoon is inserted under a paper lid, then it can be stored and distributed with the container, but it creates disposal issues as the spoon cannot be disposed of in the same paper recycling bin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by making the spoon material composition homogeneous with the paper lid - both are primarily paper-based materials. The spoon consists of a paper base layer (greater than 50% by weight) that matches the lid's material type, creating material homogeneity across the packaging system. This allows both the lid and spoon to be disposed of together in the same paper recycling bin, eliminating the disposal incompatibility problem.
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 paper spoon decreases plastic and bioplastic usage, optimizes packaging, reduces material waste, and facilitates homogeneous disposal, while maintaining rigidity and adaptability to various ice cream consistencies.
Implementation Method 1
a plastic film coupled to both sides of the cardboard, in order to guarantee the use in the food sector and the impermeability of the spoon
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a disposable spoon (1), in particular for ice cream and other similar solid foodstuffs, characterized in that it consists of a die-cut (10), comprising an upper portion (11) and a lower portion (12), delimited by a straight line (r), two fold lines (15) being made on said upper portion (11), forming a cusp in correspondence with the upper edge of said die-cut (10) and each terminating in correspondence with a respective point where said straight line (r) intersects the edge of said die-cut (10), said fold lines defining two flaps (13) of said upper portion (11).