Food Container with Foldable Panels and Gusseted Liner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for food products lack reconfigurability and efficient space-saving designs for storage and shipping, and often require additional liner application after initial formation.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a tray with foldable panels and a liner with gussets that can transition from a flat, shipping configuration to an upright serving configuration without the need for additional liner application, utilizing foldable panels and gussets to expand and maintain liner alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the container is designed in a flat, shipping configuration for efficient storage and transport, then space utilization is improved, but the container cannot be used for serving without reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed with dynamic, foldable panels that can transition between a flat shipping configuration and an upright serving configuration. The side panels, end panels, and corner panels are all foldably connected to allow the container to be reconfigured from a compressed flat state to an expanded three-dimensional serving state, enabling both efficient storage and functional use.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is divided into multiple separable panels (side panels, end panels, corner panels) that can be independently folded and reconfigured. This segmentation allows the container to be collapsed into a flat configuration for shipping while maintaining the ability to be assembled into a functional serving container when needed.
2Ease of manufacture
If the liner is attached to the tray in advance during manufacturing, then manufacturing process is simplified, but the liner may become misaligned or damaged during storage and shipping
Solution Approach 1:
The liner is attached to the tray during the manufacturing process in advance, before the container is used. This preliminary attachment simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for separate liner application steps later, while the liner's design accommodates subsequent folding and reconfiguration of the container.
Solution Approach 2:
The liner is designed as a flexible thin film that can accommodate the folding and reconfiguration of the container panels. The flexibility of the liner allows it to bend and fold with the panels during transitions between shipping and serving configurations while maintaining its attachment and coverage.
3Ease of operation
If the container panels are folded upright for serving, then the container becomes functional for food service, but the storage and shipping efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs dynamic folding mechanisms that allow panels to transition between upright and flat positions. When serving is needed, the side panels, end panels, and corner panels fold upright to create a functional three-dimensional container. When not in use, these same panels can be folded flat to minimize storage space, providing adaptability between functional and storage states.
Data Source
AI summary
A container for supporting a food product includes a tray and a liner. The tray includes a plurality of panels at least extending at least partially around an interior of the tray, the plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, at least one side panel, at least one end panel, and at least one corner panel. The liner includes a central panel and at least one marginal panel each foldably connected to a gusset. The container is reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the at least one end panel and the at least one corner panel are in generally planar overlying relation with the respective bottom panel and the at least one side panel, with the liner positioned therebetween and with the gusset in a folded arrangement, and a second configuration in which the at least one side panel, the at least one end panel, and the at least one corner panel are generally upright relative to the bottom panel with the gusset in an expanded arrangement.