Foldable Cardboard Serving Utensils Integrated Into Food Packaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing serving utensils for pizza and other food products lack strength, rigidity, and convenience for disposal and storage, and often require separate storage space.

Innovation Solution

Creating disposable or reusable serving utensils from rigid materials like cardboard, which can be incised and scored to form spatulas and cutting tools that can be integrated into food packaging, gaining strength when folded and providing space-efficient storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If serving utensils are made from thin, flexible materials for easy storage, then storage space efficiency is improved, but strength and rigidity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidutensil strength and rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The utensil transitions from a 2D flat state for storage to a 3D formed state for use. The blank is inserted flat into the packaging, occupying minimal space, then folded and formed into a three-dimensional spatula or cutting tool that gains strength and rigidity through the forming process, resolving the contradiction between compact storage and functional strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The material parameters change during the forming process. The thin blank material undergoes folding and forming that transforms its structural properties, increasing rigidity and strength while maintaining the base material's lightweight and compact characteristics. This parameter transformation allows the same material to satisfy both storage efficiency and functional strength requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If serving utensils are integrated into packaging for convenience, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveutensil accessibilityVSAvoidpackaging structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging is segmented to include a dedicated compartment or pocket for the utensil blank. This segmentation allows the blank to be easily accessed and removed while maintaining a relatively simple overall packaging structure. The blank itself is segmented into fold lines and formation zones that guide the transformation from flat to formed state, simplifying the user's interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The utensil blank is designed to be self-forming through simple folding actions by the user. The blank contains pre-marked fold lines and formation guides that enable the user to transform it into a functional utensil without requiring additional tools or complex assembly instructions, thereby improving ease of operation while keeping the packaging structure simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of repair

If utensils are made disposable for hygiene, then ease of repair is improved, but loss of substance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehygiene maintenanceVSAvoidmaterial waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The utensil is designed as a disposable item made from inexpensive blank material that can be easily discarded after use. This eliminates the need for cleaning, sanitizing, or maintenance, ensuring hygienic conditions for each use. The low cost and simple construction of the blank make disposability economically viable, resolving the contradiction between hygiene maintenance and material waste by making the disposable option practical.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Volume of moving object

If utensils are formed from flat blanks, then volume efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage volumeVSAvoidfold and form accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The blank is pre-designed with marked fold lines, score lines, and formation guides during the packaging manufacturing process. These preliminary markings guide the user's folding and forming actions, ensuring accurate transformation into the desired utensil shape. This preliminary preparation reduces the precision requirements during final formation, as the user simply needs to follow the pre-established guides rather than achieve high precision from scratch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 utensils that are strong, rigid, and space-efficient, allowing for easy integration into food packaging, minimizing storage needs, and enabling environmentally friendly disposal after use.

Implementation Method 1

3D serving utensils created by folding and bending 2D bendable materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFolding: Folding

Data Source

PatentUS11134802B23D disposable serving utensils created by folding and bending 2D bendable materials and boxes incorporating disposable serving utensils

Publication Date: 2021.10.05 GOLDBERG BRETT I

AI summary

Disposable three dimensional serving utensils that can be incorporated into a pizza box, a cake box or other container, via incised and scored blanks, from which disposable utensils, such as spatulas and knives, can be formed.