Egg Package Cover with Integrated Locking and Label Area

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing egg packages face challenges in balancing label visibility and reliable closing mechanisms, with traditional locking flaps reducing label space and increasing manufacturing costs, and separate ovoid portions being unsuitable for decoration.

Innovation Solution

A method for manufacturing an egg package using a fibrous material with a cover part featuring partial ovoid portions and a concave middle section, integrated with a locking mechanism that allows for a large label area and decorative embossments, while maintaining structural support and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional locking flap with protrusion is used, then the closing and locking mechanism is reliable, but the label area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking mechanism reliabilityVSAvoidlabel area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The locking protrusion is extracted from the front surface of the cover part and repositioned to the inner surface. This removes the protrusion from the label area while maintaining the locking function through the aperture, thus resolving the contradiction between locking reliability and label space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking protrusion is moved from the front surface (2D plane) to the inner surface (different spatial dimension), allowing the label to cover the entire front surface without obstruction, while the locking function is maintained through the aperture mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If a closure flap is added, then the locking mechanism is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking mechanism reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The front surface of the cover part is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the locking interface (through the aperture) and the label display area. This eliminates the need for a separate closure flap, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining locking reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism and label display functions are merged into a single integrated structure (the cover part with aperture), eliminating the need for separate closure flap components and reducing manufacturing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If separate partially ovoid portions are used, then egg support is provided, but decorative embossments are not suitable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveegg supportVSAvoiddecorative options
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cover part is designed with differentiated zones: the end surfaces maintain the partially ovoid shape for egg support, while the front surface is made substantially planar to accommodate decorative embossments and labels. This local differentiation allows both egg support and decorative versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cover part is segmented into functional zones: end surfaces for egg support (partially ovoid) and front surface for decoration (planar). This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3251973B1A method for manufacturing an egg package
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 BRDR HARTMANN AS
  • EP3251973B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3251973B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3251973B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6B

AI summary

The invention pertains to an egg package (2), said package being formed of a fibrous material, the package (2) comprising: - a bottom part (4) comprising a plurality of egg-receiving compartments (8) having nonplanar side surfaces so as to match at least partially the outer contours of an egg, the plurality of compartments (8) being arranged in at least two parallel rows, - a cover part (6) comprising a top surface (10), a front surface (12), a back surface (14), and two end surfaces, - the cover part (6) being permanently connected to the bottom part (4) by a hinge (16) between the back surface (14) of the cover part (6) and the bottom part (4) so as to allow the cover part (6) to move between an open position and a closed position, - said cover part (6) comprising two partially ovoid portions (20) extending outwardly from each of the two end surfaces, wherein the partially ovoid portions (20) on the same end surface convexly and continuously extend into a continuous and concave middle section (32), connecting said two partially ovoid portions (20), said concave middle section (32) curving inward, said concave middle section (32) together with said two partially ovoid portions (20) being circumvented by a substantially planar rim part (18) bounded by the top surface (10), front surface (12) and back surface (14) of the cover part (6), and said concave middle section comprising an embossment, said embossment being formed in an after press operation on the inner side of the cover part.