Food tray

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food trays face challenges in providing adequate structural support to the outer perimeter region while ensuring that the clear wrap can seal or mate properly without interference.

Innovation Solution

The food tray design includes a base wall, side walls, an outer rim, and a fillet, where the side walls extend upward and outward from the base wall along arcs with a first radius, and the outer rim extends outward from the upper regions of the side walls, with a fillet separating the outer rim from the side walls, featuring a second radius that is smaller than the first radius.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the outer perimeter region is designed to provide adequate structural support, then the strength and rigidity of the food tray is improved, but the sealing/mating of the clear wrap is interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidsealing/mating

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The outer rim is segmented into multiple functional regions: a flat region for structural support and strength, a rounded region for clear wrap sealing, and a downwardly extending region for stability. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function without interfering with others, resolving the contradiction between structural support and sealing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the outer rim are given different geometries and properties tailored to their specific functions. The flat region provides rigidity and strength, the rounded region provides a smooth sealing surface for the clear wrap, and the downwardly extending region provides stability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by ensuring that structural support is provided where needed without compromising the sealing function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If the outer rim extends outward from the side walls, then the structural support is enhanced, but the clear wrap sealing is interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidsealing

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The outer rim is divided into distinct segments with different geometries: a flat region extending outward for structural support, a rounded region for reliable sealing, and a downwardly extending region for stability. This segmentation ensures that the outward extension enhances strength while the rounded region maintains reliable clear wrap sealing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having a continuous outward extension that would interfere with sealing, the design inverts the approach by creating a rounded region that transitions downwardly. This inverted geometry allows the outer rim to extend outward for strength while the rounded portion provides a smooth surface that facilitates rather than interferes with sealing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12304691B1Food tray

Publication Date: 2025.05.20 PRESSED PAPERBOARD TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A food tray includes a base wall, side walls, an outer rim, and a fillet. The side walls extend upward and outward from an outer region of the base wall along arcs having a first radius. The outer rim extends outward from upper regions of the side walls. The fillet separates the outer rim from the side walls. The fillet has a second radius. The first radius is greater than the second radius. The food tray may be used to store meat (e.g., beef, chicken, pork, etc.).