Tray Divider Panel Structure for Article Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing containers lack effective divider features to maintain separation and organization of articles, particularly in trays used for holding food products, leading to potential commingling and difficulty in service and display.

Innovation Solution

A construct comprising a plurality of panels, including bottom and divider panels, forming divider walls that extend upwardly from the bottom panel to create compartmented spaces within a tray, allowing for separate and organized placement of articles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing containers are used without divider features, then the container structure remains simple, but articles cannot be effectively separated and organized leading to commingling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation and organization of articlesVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container interior is segmented into multiple compartments using divider walls that extend upward from the bottom panel. These dividers create separate spaces for different articles, enabling effective separation and organization while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Divider walls serve as intermediary elements between articles that need to be separated. These vertical partitions act as mediators that prevent commingling of articles while being integrated into the container structure itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If divider features are added to trays, then article separation and organization are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearticle organizationVSAvoidtray construction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The divider features are merged with the tray structure by forming divider walls that extend upward from the tray's bottom panel. This integration allows the dividers to be constructed as part of the tray manufacturing process rather than as separate components, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bottom panel of the tray serves multiple functions: it acts as both the base structure of the tray and as the foundation from which divider walls extend. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If multiple panels and divider walls are constructed, then effective compartmented spaces are created, but the number of components and structural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompartmented space creationVSAvoidnumber of panels and components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The divider walls are nested within the tray structure, extending upward from the bottom panel rather than being separate external components. This nesting approach creates compartmented spaces while minimizing the number of discrete parts that need to be assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20260048892A1Divider Construct For Trays, Related Systems And Methods

Publication Date: 2026.02.19 GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL LLC

AI summary

A construct for providing divider features in the interior of a tray includes a plurality of panels including at least one bottom panel and at least one divider panel extending upwardly from the at least one bottom panel, and divider features comprising at least one divider wall, the at least one divider wall comprising the at least one divider panel.