Paperboard Tray Assembly Hinge Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container designs for holding articles lack efficient and secure opening mechanisms, particularly for articles of varying shapes and sizes, which can lead to difficulties in accessing and reconfiguring the contents.
Innovation Solution
A tray assembly comprising a lid and base with hingable connections formed from paperboard components, allowing for repositioning between closed and open configurations using upper and lower hinge portions, and incorporating locking features for secure closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lid and base assembly is used to hold articles, then storage security is improved, but accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate due to difficult opening mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by incorporating a hinge mechanism that enables the lid to transition between closed and open positions. The hinge allows the lid to be dynamically opened for accessing articles and closed for secure storage, transforming a static container into a dynamically operable system that alternates between security and accessibility states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the container into separate functional components: a base portion, a lid portion, and a hinge mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together as a cohesive system, enabling easy opening and closing operations.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional container designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but functionality and adaptability deteriorate for articles of varying shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a container system with a hinge mechanism that can accommodate articles of various shapes and sizes. The lid can be opened fully to access contents, and the hinge allows for flexible positioning, making the container adaptable to different storage needs while maintaining a simple manufacturing process using standard paperboard forming techniques.
3Ease of manufacture
If paperboard material is used for the container, then manufacturing ease and cost-effectiveness are improved, but resistance to fluid absorption deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by using paperboard as the base material and potentially incorporating protective coatings or laminates on the interior surfaces that contact articles. This composite approach maintains the manufacturing ease and cost-effectiveness of paperboard while adding a protective layer that resists fluid absorption, addressing the limitation of plain paperboard.
Data Source
AI summary
A tray assembly for holding one or more articles, the tray assembly including a lid having a lid portion coupled to an upper hinge portion, a base having a base portion coupled to a lower hinge portion, the base portion extending at least partially around an interior of the tray assembly, and a hinge between the lid and the base and including the upper hinge portion and the lower hinge portion, the hinge for repositioning the tray assembly between a closed configuration, in which the lid at least partially overlies the base, and an open configuration, in which the lid is raised away from the base, the upper hinge portion hingably coupled to the lower hinge portion, at least one of the lid portion, the base portion, the upper hinge portion, and the lower hinge portion includes paperboard.