Foldable Meal Packaging System for Aircraft Tray Tables

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercial aircraft meals are inefficiently delivered and presented, requiring time-consuming preparation and cleanup by flight attendants, with limited passenger options and excessive dishware weight contributing to flight delays and waste.

Innovation Solution

A foldable meal packaging and presentation system with a base and panels that form a snug interior chamber, allowing meals to be prepared and packaged pre-flight, reducing the need for in-flight preparation and minimizing waste by using recyclable materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If meals are prepared and presented by flight attendants during flight, then passengers receive personalized service, but the process becomes time-consuming and tedious

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeal preparation easeVSAvoidmeal service time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The meal packaging system is pre-assembled with all meal components (food containers, utensils, napkins, condiments) organized in designated compartments before the flight. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for flight attendants to assemble meals during service, reducing service time while maintaining presentation quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The meal packaging system divides the meal into separate compartments for different food items, utensils, napkins, and condiments. This segmentation allows for efficient organization and easy access during service, reducing the time required to prepare and serve meals while maintaining a polished presentation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If commercial aircraft are stocked with large amounts of dishware and appliances, then meal service can be provided, but the aircraft weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeal service capabilityVSAvoidaircraft weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The meal packaging system uses disposable food containers and packaging materials that are lightweight and do not require cleaning or reuse. This eliminates the need for heavy, durable dishware and appliances on the aircraft, significantly reducing aircraft weight while maintaining full meal service capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging system combines multiple functions (food storage, utensil holder, napkin dispenser, condiment container) into a single integrated package. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate dishware, utensils, and accessories, reducing overall weight while maintaining complete meal service functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If flight attendants collect and wash dishes after meal service, then hygiene is maintained, but the process is time-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehygiene maintenanceVSAvoidcleanup time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging system uses disposable materials that are discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for collection, transport, and washing of dishes. This maintains hygiene by ensuring each passenger receives a clean, unused package while eliminating the time-intensive cleanup process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The system discards the packaging after use rather than cleaning and reusing it. The disposable nature of the packaging eliminates the recovery and cleaning steps that would otherwise be required, significantly reducing post-meal service time while maintaining sanitary conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

4Ease of operation

If meals are individually positioned on limited tray table space, then passengers can access their meal items, but the process is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeal access easeVSAvoidmeal delivery efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging system combines all meal components (food containers, utensils, napkins, condiments) into a single integrated package that fits on the tray table. This eliminates the need for flight attendants to individually place multiple items on the tray, significantly improving delivery efficiency while maintaining easy passenger access to all meal components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11046475B2Meal packaging and presentation systems and methods

Publication Date: 2021.06.29 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A meal packaging and presentation system includes a base, a front panel connected to the base at a low front edge seam, a first side panel connected to the base at a first low side edge seam, a second side panel connected to the base at a second low side edge seam, a rear panel connected to the base at a low rear edge seam, a first top flap connected to the first side panel at a first top side edge seam, a second top flap connected to the second side panel at a second top side edge seam, a front top flap connected to the front panel at a top front edge seam, and a rear top flap that connects to the rear panel at a top rear edge. An interior meal chamber is formed between the base, the front panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, the rear panel, the first top flap, and the second top flap when the system is in a closed state. The system is configured to transition between the closed state and an opened presentation state through manipulation of the front panel, the first side panel, the second panel, the rear panel, the first top flap, the second top flap, the front top flap, and the rear top flap.