Nested Cup Lid Packaging for Retail Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packaging and dispensing systems for complementary items like lidded cups and lids are inefficient, leading to clutter, inconvenience in storage and cleaning, and poor visibility on retail shelves, especially for non-foodservice use.
Innovation Solution
A packaging system where complementary components are nested in stacks within a carton, with each stack having a different component on top and bottom, allowing for easy selection and use, and featuring a graduated carton design with perforations for improved accessibility and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cups and lids are packaged separately at opposite ends of a transparent plastic bag, then both components can be stored in the package, but the user must take out all cups and lids or open both ends to retrieve a single pair, causing inconvenience and risk of separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing lids inside cups or cups inside lids to form integrated stacks. Each stack contains both complementary components nested together, allowing users to retrieve a complete cup-lid pair by removing a single stack. This eliminates the need to open multiple package ends or risk separating components, directly resolving the dispensing inconvenience while maintaining packaging simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the package is long and thin to accommodate separate stacks, then all components can be included, but the package is difficult to display attractively on store shelves and must be placed on top shelves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate stacks into a single integrated package structure. By combining multiple cup-lid stacks within one compact package, the overall package dimensions are reduced and optimized for retail display. This allows the package to be displayed on lower, more visible shelves rather than requiring top shelf placement, directly addressing the retail visibility problem while maintaining the ability to include all necessary components.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a product and method for dispensing and packaging items comprising at least two nestable complementary components. The complementary components are provided in stacks where each stack comprises a nested portion of each of the complementary components. One stack will have one complementary component located on the top end of the stack and the other complementary component will be present on the bottom end of that stack. As presented for use in a carton, each stack will have a different complementary component on the respective top end of the stack. A user will select a complementary component from each stack to provide a completed item for use. The invention is particularly suited for lidded cups or containers where the cups or containers and lids are packaged together for complementary use.