Draining Tray With Interlocking Bottom Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing draining trays for fresh food, such as meat and cheese, face issues with unstable coupling between layers, difficult assembly, and detachment during handling, which compromises drainage efficiency and stability.
Innovation Solution
The improved draining tray features a first and second bottom layer with complementary ridge and channel retaining means and vertical alignment structures, such as truncated cone shapes, facilitating precise alignment and stable press-fitting assembly, ensuring secure coupling and easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If discontinuous structures with holes are used as retaining means, then the tray can be assembled, but the coupling stability is compromised and assembly precision is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces vertical alignment means as intermediary structures that mediate between the first and second bottom layers. These alignment means include guide structures such as protrusions and corresponding recesses that facilitate precise alignment during assembly, eliminating the need for manual positioning while ensuring accurate coupling between layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining means are pre-formed with complementary geometries (ridges and channels) that automatically guide and align the components during assembly. The vertical alignment means are pre-positioned to create self-aligning features, so that when components are brought together, the coupling is both precise and stable without requiring additional adjustment.
2Device complexity
If discontinuous retaining structures are used, then assembly is possible, but the coupling becomes unstable and layers detach during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the retaining function and alignment function into a single integrated structure. The ridges and channels are designed to work together with the vertical alignment means, creating a unified coupling system that simultaneously provides alignment guidance and stable mechanical retention, eliminating the need for separate retaining components.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical alignment means incorporate curved or conical surfaces (such as truncated cones) that provide progressive engagement during assembly. This curved geometry allows the components to self-align through gradual contact, ensuring stable coupling while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual assembly is used, then alignment can be achieved, but assembly time increases and automation is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical alignment means are designed to perform the alignment function automatically during the assembly process. The guide structures (protrusions and recesses) self-align the components through their geometric interaction, eliminating the need for manual positioning operations and enabling rapid automated assembly while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment operations with an automated geometric coupling system. The complementary ridges, channels, and vertical alignment means create a self-aligning mechanical interface that automatically positions components with high precision, enabling both manual and automated assembly methods to achieve the same result efficiently.
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 solution provides a stable, durable, and easily assembled draining tray that maintains precise alignment and enhances drainage efficiency, preventing detachment during handling and enabling efficient automated packaging.
Implementation Method 1
a layer of absorbent material suitable for contact with foods arranged in said hollow space
Implementation Method 2
an absorbent material is arranged in said hollow space for these liquids
Implementation Method 3
their shape coupling facilitates the stable coupling of said first bottom layer and said second bottom layer
Implementation Method 4
retaining means of said second bottom layer on said first bottom layer
Implementation Method 5
discontinuous truncated cone shaped protruding structures, obtained on said first bottom layer and projecting towards the inside of said tray
Implementation Method 6
their progressive shape coupling guides the insertion of said second bottom layer in said tray
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention is directed at the packaging sector of food products for human consumption. More in detail, the invention relates to an improved draining tray (1) for containing fresh food, comprising: - a first bottom layer (2) and raised side walls (4); - a second bottom layer (3) positioned in the inside part of said tray (1) and creating a hollow space with said first bottom layer (2), wherein said second bottom layer is provided with through holes (5); - a layer of absorbent material (6) suitable for contact with foods arranged in said hollow space; - retaining means of said second bottom layer (3) on said first bottom layer (2); - vertical alignment means, adapted to guide the insertion of said second bottom layer (3) in said tray (1).