Hybrid Container Flap Recesses for Stable Vertical Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid food storage containers with paper bases and plastic lids face issues of accidental disengagement and inability to be vertically stacked due to protruding flaps, leading to potential tipping and inefficient use of space.
Innovation Solution
The hybrid container design features a paper base with pivotable flaps and a translucent plastic lid with angled receiving regions that securely engage the flaps, ensuring they remain hidden and the containers can be stacked horizontally, enhancing structural integrity and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flaps are made protruding from the container, then ease of operation for opening is improved, but stability and ability to stack vertically deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into functional zones: the flaps are segmented from the base body and positioned within recesses, separating the opening function from the stacking function. This allows the flaps to be accessible for opening while the container walls provide stable stacking surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The flaps are nested within recesses in the container walls, with the flaps fitting inside the recess spaces. This nesting arrangement allows the flaps to be accessible for opening operations while not protruding to interfere with vertical stacking of containers.
2Ease of operation
If flaps extend beyond container walls, then accessibility for opening is improved, but device complexity and risk of accidental disengagement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flaps are nested within recesses in the container walls, creating a simplified engagement mechanism. The recesses provide natural guides and constraints for the flaps, eliminating the need for complex locking features while preventing accidental disengagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The recesses in the walls automatically guide and constrain the flaps during opening and closing operations. The geometry of the recesses provides self-aligning and self-latching functionality, reducing the need for additional mechanical components.
3Reliability
If containers are designed with protruding features for flap engagement, then reliability of connection is improved, but productivity and space utilization in stacking deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting flaps within wall recesses rather than having them protrude, the container exterior maintains smooth, compact surfaces. This allows containers to be stacked efficiently in vertical columns with maximum space utilization, while the recessed flap mechanism maintains reliable connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap engagement mechanism is moved from the external dimension (protruding features) to the internal dimension (recesses in walls). This dimensional repositioning maintains connection reliability while eliminating interference with vertical stacking and improving storage efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid container has an integrally formed base made from a paper material and an integrally formed lid made from a plastic material. The base defines a volume with a bottom and opposing first sidewalls that form an upper peripheral rim. The base has at least two flaps, one extend from each opposing first sidewall, configured as a loop with a central opening and pivotable with respect to its first sidewall. The lid is dimensioned for positioning on the upper peripheral rim of the base and has an upper surface, opposing second sidewalls, and at least two receiving regions each formed on opposing second sidewalls and having a seat dimensioned for releasable engagement with the central opening of each flap. Each of the receiving regions is angled with respect to the upper surface of the lid to completely receive one flap when the connected to the seat.