Pasta Packaging Tray with Segmented Receptacles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional packaging methods for fragile and valuable food products like pasta can cause damage during transport due to loose packaging, and individual packaging is cost-prohibitive.
Innovation Solution
A packaging support with molded polymeric trays featuring closely spaced, shape-complementary receptacles separated by ribs, which minimizes space usage and prevents product contact, combined with an air circulation system to maintain product quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual packaging is used for each food item, then product protection is improved, but packaging cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging support is divided into multiple receptacles that can accommodate individual food items or groups of items. Each receptacle acts as a separate compartment that provides protection without requiring individual packaging for each item. The receptacles are arranged to maximize space utilization while maintaining product protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging support with its receptacles and bands serves as an intermediary structure between the food items and the external environment. This intermediate structure provides the necessary protection and separation, eliminating the need for individual packaging while maintaining product integrity during transport.
2Ease of manufacture
If loose packaging is used for transport, then packaging cost is reduced, but product damage occurs during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging support segments the transport space into multiple receptacles that securely hold food items. This segmentation prevents items from moving freely during transport while maintaining a simple, cost-effective packaging structure without individual wrappers.
Solution Approach 2:
The bands and receptacle structures are designed to provide protective cushioning around the food items before transport begins. This pre-established protection prevents damage during handling and transport while keeping the overall packaging simple and cost-effective.
3Area of stationary object
If receptacles are closely spaced to minimize unused area, then space utilization is improved, but product contact and damage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bands are extracted as separate structural elements that protrude from the tray to create separation between receptacles. This allows the receptacles to be closely spaced for maximum space utilization while the bands provide the necessary separation and protection between adjacent food items.
Solution Approach 2:
The bands provide localized separation and protection at the interfaces between receptacles, while the receptacles themselves maintain close spacing for optimal space utilization. This local quality approach ensures product separation only where necessary while maximizing overall space efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
A packaging support (1) for pasta and other food products, comprising a tray (2) provided with a plurality of receptacles (3) whose dimensions are substantially complementary to the dimensions of at least one item of the type of product to be accommodated.