Popcorn Packaging Unit with Adaptive Bottle Pocket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging units for popcorn or similar items and beverages, such as those found at movie theaters or sporting events, often require both hands to transport due to separate packaging for food and drinks, and fail to securely hold PET bottles which have a smaller diameter than beverage cups, as they lack a bottom in the pocket.
Innovation Solution
A packaging unit with a receiving chamber and an external pocket, where two strip-shaped wall sections are cut from the side walls to allow for a secure press-fit of both conical beverage cups and PET bottles, with the strip sections deforming to create a stable interior space for bottle support, and the unit is made from a one-piece blank for simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple pocket structure is used for beverage cups, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to securely hold PET bottles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pocket structure incorporates movable strip sections that can dynamically adjust their position. When a PET bottle is inserted, these strips pivot inward to accommodate the bottle's smaller diameter, transforming from a static simple structure to a dynamic adaptive structure that securely holds different beverage container types without requiring complex manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The pocket's internal dimensions are made variable through the strip sections that can change their positional parameters. By pivoting these strips, the effective width and depth of the pocket change to match different container sizes, allowing the same simple structure to reliably hold both beverage cups and PET bottles
2Ease of manufacture
If separate packaging units for food and beverages are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring both hands for transport
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the food packaging (receiving chamber) and beverage packaging (pocket) into a single integrated packaging unit. The pocket is formed as part of the same blank as the receiving chamber, creating a unified structure that holds both food and beverage together, allowing one-handed transport while maintaining simple manufacturing from a single blank
3Ease of manufacture
If the pocket has no bottom structure, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to hold bottles securely deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a static bottom structure, the invention uses dynamic strip sections that pivot inward when a bottle is inserted. These strips act as adaptive supports that create a functional bottom and side walls only when needed, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving reliable bottle holding through the strips' movement and deformation
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
Enables the secure one-handed transport of both food and beverages by allowing a PET bottle to be held within the pocket, which is effectively given a bottom by the inwardly pivoted strip sections, enhancing usability and production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one strip-shaped wall section, preferably two strip-shaped wall sections, is pressed inwards into the interior of the bag, whereby the two side walls, from which a strip-shaped wall section is cut free, and the strip-shaped wall section deform elastically
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The unit has a pocket (12) arranged on a receiving chamber (21a) and dimensioned such that a conical beverage cup (20) or a bottle e.g. polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle, is inserted in a clamp seat into the pocket. A strip-shaped wall section (23) is partially cut free laterally from sidewalls of the pocket by an incision (21). The incision extends in parallel with lower edge of the pocket. Ends of strip-shaped wall section fold lines (22) extend in a direction perpendicular to the wall section, so that the wall section is bent around the fold lines into interior of the pocket.