Hinged Decorative Holder for Protecting Disposable Foil Pans

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Solution Overview

Problem

Disposable foil pans used for cooking and serving are flimsy, prone to damage during transport, and unattractive, which can negatively impact the presentation of food.

Innovation Solution

A decorative holder with a receptacle and hingably coupled lid that encapsulates foodstuff trays, tins, or pans, featuring a partially corrugated bottom for improved airflow and handle recesses for secure transport, made from durable materials like polypropylene and styrene-acrylonitrile resin, with living hinge clips for easy assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If disposable foil pans are used for cooking and serving, then cost and ease of disposal are improved, but structural strength and protective capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of disposalVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The disposable foil pan is nested within the reusable decorative holder, with the lid enclosing both the holder and pan. This nesting structure allows the weak disposable pan to be protected by the strong reusable holder, resolving the contradiction between ease of disposal and structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The reusable decorative holder and lid serve as pre-established protective cushioning for the disposable pan. This prior protection prevents damage during transport while maintaining the disposability benefit, as the protective structure is already in place before the pan is used.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of manufacture

If disposable foil pans are used, then cost is improved, but presentation and aesthetic appeal deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidaesthetic appeal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into two parts: a disposable inexpensive pan for cooking, and a reusable decorative holder for presentation. This segmentation allows each component to optimize for its specific function - the pan for cost-effectiveness and the holder for aesthetic appeal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The decorative holder acts as an intermediary between the disposable pan and the final presentation. It mediates by providing the aesthetic appearance needed for serving while the disposable pan remains hidden inside, resolving the contradiction between cost and presentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If a reusable decorative holder is used, then protective capability and presentation are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holder and lid are made from flexible yet durable polypropylene material that can be molded into the desired decorative shape. This material choice provides protective capability while allowing relatively simple manufacturing processes, balancing protection with manageable complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Strength

If a lid is added to enclose the holder, then protection and spillage prevention are improved, but ease of access and operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprotectionVSAvoidease of access

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is designed to pivot open dynamically rather than requiring removal or complex opening mechanisms. This dynamic design provides protection when closed while allowing easy access when needed, resolving the contradiction between protection and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 holder provides a sturdy, attractive solution that protects food during transport, maintains food safety, and enhances presentation by minimizing damage and spillage while allowing for easy handling and stacking.

Implementation Method 1

The lid is hingably coupled to the top edge of the receptacle using multiple living hinge clips

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a bottom wall, wherein at least a portion of the bottom wall is corrugated to increase airflow underneath

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4011248A1Decorative holder for foodstuff trays, tins, and pans

Publication Date: 2022.06.15 SUGAR BEETS LLC

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AI summary

A decorative holder (10) for foodstuff trays, tins, and pans is provided. The decorative holder (10) includes a receptacle (12) having a bottom wall (60), a pair of opposing side walls (22), and a pair of opposing end walls (24). The side walls (22) and the end walls (24) extend upwardly from an outer periphery of the bottom wall (60) and terminate in a top edge (80). The decorative holder (10) further includes a lid (16) that is hingably coupled to the top edge (80) of the receptacle (12) and configured to pivot between an opened position and a closed position, the lid (16) defining a central opening (54) providing access to an interior region of the decorative holder (10) when disposed atop the receptacle (12). The receptacle (12) and the lid (16) are configured to hold and generally encapsulate one or more foodstuff trays, tins, or pans therebetween.