Pastry Box Coverlid Base Recipient Assembly Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing pastry boxes require a time-consuming sequence of movements to mount the coverlid and base recipient, making the process inefficient and prone to collapse when unfolded.

Innovation Solution

The coverlid and base recipient are pre-attached via a hinged strip, allowing for a single, quick folding motion to assemble the box, with additional features like trapezium shapes and adhesive layers for secure attachment and easy stacking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the coverlid and base recipient are pre-attached via a hinged strip, then assembly time is reduced and stacking is enabled, but the structural complexity increases due to the additional attachment mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly timeVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coverlid is pre-attached to the base recipient through a hinged strip during manufacturing, so that when the user receives the box, the components are already connected. This preliminary attachment eliminates the need for separate assembly steps and enables the box to be stacked as a single unit, directly reducing assembly time and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The coverlid and base recipient are merged into a single integrated unit through the hinged strip attachment. This combination allows the two separate components to function as one assembled unit, enabling stacking and reducing the number of separate handling operations required during assembly and storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the first and second wing are creased inwardly to cause upstanding movement of side walls, then the box structure is formed, but the mounting process becomes time-consuming due to multiple sequential movements required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebox structureVSAvoidmounting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The first and second wing are pre-attached to the base recipient during manufacturing, so that when the user assembles the box, the wings are already in position. This preliminary attachment eliminates the need for the user to perform the time-consuming sequential movements of creasing and positioning the wings, while still achieving the same structural outcome.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If the coverlid is made of transparent plastic material, then product visibility and hygiene are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases compared to opaque materials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct visibility and hygieneVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coverlid is made of transparent plastic material instead of opaque material. This transparency allows consumers to see through the coverlid to view the pastry inside, improving product visibility and perceived hygiene. While the manufacturing process may be slightly more complex, the benefits in terms of consumer engagement and food safety outweigh the additional manufacturing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP1972566B1Box
Publication Date: 2010.09.29 VANHOUTTE GUY
  • EP1972566B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1972566B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP1972566B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A box, comprising a coverlid (3) and a base recipient (2), said coverlid being applied on said base recipient, said coverlid comprising a first side (17) provided to form a top plane and a second side (18) provided to form a front plane of said box, said first and second side having a common edge (21), a border of said first side, which border is situated opposite to said common edge, is provided with a strip (24), which strip extends perpendicular to said first side when said coverlid is mounted on said base recipient, said base recipient comprises a back wall (4), which is upstanding when said base recipient is unfolded, said strip being attached to said back wall, said base recipient being foldable, said back wall comprising a first and a second flap (4-1,4-2) forming an integral part with each other and being foldable with respect to each other in such a manner that they overlap each other when said back wall is upstanding, said base recipient further comprising a first, respectively a second, side wall (6,7) hingedly connected by means of a first, respectively a second wing (13-1,13-2,14-1,14-2) to said back wall so that upon unfolding said base recipient the upstanding movement of said back wail causes said side wall to become upstanding too.