Paper-Based Container With Pleated Side Wall For Volume Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fruit and vegetable containers are not biodegradable, compostable, or adaptable in size, leading to environmental pollution and increased operational costs due to limited versatility and leakage issues.

Innovation Solution

A cup-shaped container made from paper- or cardboard-based material, produced through hot deep drawing or thermoforming, featuring pleats that allow size adjustment and a flange-free design for improved cohesion and adaptability, along with steps for increased rigidity and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If containers are made of expanded polystyrene or polyethylene, then they provide good protection and cohesion, but they are not biodegradable, compostable, or recyclable, and cause environmental pollution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection and cohesionVSAvoidenvironmental pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from synthetic polymers (expanded polystyrene, polyethylene) to paper-based materials, fundamentally altering the environmental properties while maintaining protective function through the paper's inherent barrier properties and recyclability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite construction by combining paper-based material with a film covering layer, creating a multi-layer structure that provides both the protective functions needed and the environmental benefits of biodegradability and recyclability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If containers are made of paper or cardboard, then they are biodegradable and recyclable, but they are not hermetically sealed at glued rims, allowing liquid leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiodegradability and recyclabilityVSAvoidhermetic sealing

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a film covering as an intermediary layer between the paper container walls and the contents, creating a hermetic barrier that prevents liquid leakage while the paper structure maintains its biodegradable and recyclable properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure combining paper-based material with a film covering layer, where the film provides the hermetic sealing function that paper alone cannot achieve, while the paper component maintains environmental compatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If containers are made of paper or cardboard, then they are biodegradable, but they cannot be printed and personalized, reducing commercial versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiodegradabilityVSAvoidprintability and personalization

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality enhancement by adding a film covering layer that provides printable surfaces for commercial customization, while the paper-based container body maintains its biodegradable properties, allowing different regions of the container to serve different functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If containers are made of expanded polystyrene or polyethylene, then they maintain product freshness, but they are not adaptable to products of different sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct freshnessVSAvoidsize adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptability through the pleated side wall structure that can be expanded or compressed to accommodate different product sizes, while the film covering maintains the hermetic seal needed for product freshness preservation

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 container is waterproof, printable, and recyclable, offering enhanced versatility and adaptability, reducing environmental impact and operational costs while maintaining product freshness and safety.

Implementation Method 1

produced through hot deep drawing or thermoforming

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

hot deep drawing or thermoforming

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3643633B1container

Publication Date: 2021.09.22 BIOPAP SRL

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

Container (1), in particular for fruit and vegetables, having a cup-shaped body and comprising a bottom (2) and a side wall (3) laterally delimiting a hollow space (4), wherein said container (1) is made of a paper-based material; the side wall (3) being extendable so as to selectively increase the volume of said hollow space (4).