Foldable Meat Container With Movable Sidewalls And Label Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional meat containers, such as E2 boxes, have high volume consumption when empty due to their fixed sidewalls, which also restrict label placement and scanner positioning, making them inefficient for logistics and handling.
Innovation Solution
A foldable container design with a base and four sidewalls, where the sidewalls are movably connected via hinges, allowing for both erected and folded configurations, and featuring a unique labeling surface formed by the base and sidewall foot portions, enabling efficient label placement and easy removal during folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional E2 boxes with fixed sidewalls are used, then structural stability and hygiene are improved, but volume consumption increases when empty
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs movable sidewalls that can transition between erected and folded configurations. The sidewalls are connected to the base via hinges, allowing them to move from a vertical position (providing structural stability when in use) to a folded position (reducing volume consumption when empty). This dynamic structure resolves the contradiction by making the container's shape adaptable to different operational states.
2Reliability
If closed fixed sidewalls are used, then hygiene and reusability are improved, but label placement and scanner positioning become restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The movable sidewalls create a dynamic labeling surface that is accessible during the erected state for label application and scanner positioning, while maintaining the closed structure for hygiene when in use. The sidewalls can be positioned to provide access to the labeling area without compromising the enclosed structure during transport and storage.
3Volume of stationary object
If foldable sidewalls are used, then volume consumption is reduced, but label attachment becomes difficult due to ribs and openings
Solution Approach 1:
The container design incorporates smooth labeling surfaces on the sidewalls specifically designated for label attachment, distinct from the ribbed and opened structures needed for folding. These localized smooth areas provide suitable surfaces for label application while the rest of the sidewall structure maintains its foldable characteristics with hinges and connecting elements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A container (10), especially a meat container (10) comprising a base (16) having one or more foot portions (17a, 17b) extending substantially perpendicular to the base (16); four sidewalls (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b); wherein the four sidewalls (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) are moveably connected to the base (16) to allow the container (10) to form an erected configuration when the four sidewalls (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) are upright and a folded down configuration when the four sidewalls (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) are folded down; wherein at least one of the four sidewalls (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) is moveably connected to the base (16) via the one or more foot portions (17a, 17b): wherein in the one of the four sidewalls (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) being moveably connected via the one or more foot portions (17a, 17b) forms together with the foot portion (17a, 17b) a first plane (21) and a second plane (22), the second plane (22) comprising a surface for a label (25); wherein the surface for the label (25) comprises a separation line (27) separating the foot portion (17a, 17b) from the one of the four sidewalls (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b).