Foldable Cardboard Packaging with Segmented Tray
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packaging materials, especially those used in higher-end products, are not environmentally friendly and often difficult to recycle due to structural configurations that do not allow for intuitive folding and flattening without damage.
Innovation Solution
The design of packaging that includes a foldable base box and tray made from cardboard, allowing for easy transition between an assembled and flattened state, enabling intuitive recycling without destruction, using foldable wings and supports that allow the components to lie flat for recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If molded fiber based trays are structurally configured for product support, then packaging integrity is maintained, but the packaging cannot be easily folded or collapsed without damage
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging is divided into separate components: a base box and a tray, each with their own foldable structures. The tray is segmented from the base box, allowing the tray to be collapsed independently while the base box maintains its structural integrity. This segmentation enables easy folding without compromising the overall packaging strength during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray incorporates dynamic foldable features including foldable sides, a collapsible support structure, and a removable lid. These dynamic elements allow the tray to transition between an expanded usable state and a collapsed recyclable state, maintaining packaging integrity during use while enabling easy folding for recycling.
2Strength
If plastic materials are used for higher-end packaging, then adequate coverage and structural support are provided, but environmental friendliness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging material is changed from plastic to molded fiber board, altering the material parameter while maintaining the required structural support properties. The molded fiber board provides adequate strength and coverage for product protection, while being environmentally friendly and recyclable, thus changing the material parameter to resolve the contradiction between strength and environmental impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging uses composite construction combining molded fiber board for the base box and tray, with metal fasteners and adhesive elements. This composite approach maintains the structural support needed for product protection while using environmentally friendly materials, replacing plastic with recyclable fiber-based composites.
3Volume of moving object
If the tray is integrated in the base box for compactness, then space efficiency is improved, but the complexity of folding and recycling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is segmented as a separate removable component from the base box, allowing it to be collapsed independently. This segmentation simplifies the folding process by enabling the tray to be folded flat without requiring complex coordination with the base box, while still achieving compact storage when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray is received within the base box in an nested configuration, where the collapsed tray fits compactly inside the base box. This nesting arrangement achieves space efficiency by allowing both components to occupy minimal volume when not in use, while the separate design keeps the folding mechanism simple and manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
Packaging may include a base box comprising cardboard, e.g., cardboard corrugate. Disposed within the base box may be a tray for receiving a product, which also may comprise cardboard. By constructing a base box and tray that both fold flat without destructive means, this type of configuration retains a high-end reception of the end product and product packaging, while encouraging proper recycling once the customer decides to dispose of the packaging.