High-strength environmentally-friendly tableware
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pulp molded tableware is prone to deformation and fracture due to its low rigidity, limiting its application and popularity, especially in utensils like forks and knives, where handles tend to bend or deform under force, and reinforcing ribs can crack during molding.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a reinforcing member in the handle with a hollow recess and limiting members on the side walls to enhance structural integrity, and using a wave-shaped reinforcing rib with concave and convex portions to distribute force evenly and prevent cracking, along with edge flaps to improve grip and prevent deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If pulp molded tableware is made from raw materials such as paper, then it is environment-friendly and has low production costs, but it has low rigidity and is prone to deformation during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining pulp material with reinforcing materials (such as plant fibers, starch, or other natural polymers) to create a composite composition that maintains environmental friendliness and low cost while significantly improving rigidity and strength. The composite formulation includes the pulp material as a base component mixed with reinforcing agents to achieve enhanced mechanical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by adding reinforcing ribs to specific locations on the tableware structure where strength is most needed. The reinforcing ribs are strategically positioned to provide localized structural support, improving overall rigidity without requiring the entire tableware to be made from high-strength materials, thus maintaining cost-effectiveness.
2Strength
If reinforcing ribs are added to improve strength, then the tableware becomes more durable, but the reinforcing ribs are prone to cracking during molding due to abrupt slope changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spheroidality by designing the reinforcing ribs with curved, rounded transitions instead of abrupt angular changes. The reinforcing ribs feature smooth curvature that gradually transitions from the tableware surface, eliminating sharp edges and corners that would concentrate stress and cause cracking during the molding process. This curved design maintains structural strength while improving manufacturing quality.
3Strength
If the handle is made solid to improve strength, then it can resist deformation better, but it increases material usage and production cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the handle into multiple functional zones with different structural characteristics. The handle includes a hollow portion for lightweight construction, reinforcing ribs for localized strength enhancement, and edge flaps for additional structural support. This segmented approach provides necessary strength while minimizing overall material usage compared to a completely solid handle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating reinforcing elements (reinforcing ribs and edge flaps) in specific areas of the handle where strength is most critical, such as near the joint with the main body and at the grip areas. The rest of the handle maintains a lighter construction, optimizing the balance between strength and material efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
High-strength environment-friendly tableware is provided, and relates to the field of tableware. The high-strength environment-friendly tableware includes a handle and a main body, and the main body is located at one end of the handle. The handle has a recess, the recess forms a hollow portion, and the hollow portion extends in a length direction of the handle. A reinforcing member is mounted in the hollow portion, and a first end of the reinforcing member abuts against a joint between the main body and the handle.