Triangular Cross-Section Carrier with Crash-Bottom Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current take-away food cartons made from plastic or polystyrene are not eco-friendly and lack the necessary strength and rigidity to protect delicate items like cakes and pastries, while paper-based alternatives are often too weak and prone to flopping open, requiring complex assembly processes that slow down service.
Innovation Solution
A carrier with a three-sided tubular structure and a triangular cross-sectional shape, featuring a crash-bottom-style bottom wall and a multi-part mechanical locking mechanism for easy assembly and disassembly, allowing for secure containment and transportation of food items using recyclable, biodegradable materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If plastic or polystyrene is used to make the carrier, then strength and rigidity are improved, but eco-friendliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier uses a composite structure combining a three-sided tubular body made from biodegradable material with a separate crash-bottom-style base. The tubular structure provides structural strength while the base provides protective rigidity, achieving both strength and eco-friendliness through material composition and structural design
2Object-generated harmful factors
If thin paper-based material is used to form the carrier, then eco-friendliness is improved, but strength and rigidity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is divided into distinct functional segments: a three-sided tubular structure for structural support and a separate crash-bottom-style base for protection. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently, with the tubular body providing eco-friendly construction and the base providing the necessary strength and rigidity
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier combines different material properties in a composite structure, using biodegradable material for the tubular body while incorporating a crash-bottom base that provides enhanced strength and rigidity, achieving both eco-friendliness and structural integrity
3Ease of manufacture
If simple cake-box type structure is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but strength and rigidity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier structure is segmented into a three-sided tubular body and a separate crash-bottom base, allowing the body to be manufactured simply while the base provides the necessary strength and rigidity through its specialized design
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier transitions from a simple two-dimensional cake-box structure to a three-dimensional tubular structure with a reinforced base, adding dimensional complexity that provides enhanced strength and rigidity while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular construction
4Strength
If complex assembly process is used to strengthen the carrier, then strength and rigidity are improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is designed as modular segments (tubular body and base) that can be assembled quickly, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining strength and rigidity through the segmented construction approach
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier components are pre-formed and prepared in advance, with the three-sided tubular body and crash-bottom base ready for quick assembly, eliminating the need for complex real-time assembly processes and improving productivity
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the invention are directed toward a carrier (90) for containing a product. The carrier comprises first, second and third connected side panels (16a/16b, 116a/116b, 216a/216b, 316a/316b; 14, 114, 214, 314; 12, 112, 212, 312) which define a three-sided tubular structure having a triangular cross-section. The carrier has a substantially triangular-shaped, crash-bottom-style, bottom wall. Parts (24b/26b, 20b/32, 22b; 124b/126b, 120b/132, 122b; 224b/226b, 220b/232, 222b; 324b/326b, 320b/332, 322b) of the bottom wall are coupled to the first, second and third side panels. The carrier has a mechanical interlocking feature (T1, T2, S1, S2); and a multi-part mechanical locking mechanism. A first top-end closure panel (16a/16b 116a/116b; 215a/215b; 315a/315b) comprises a first part (A1) of said multi-part mechanical locking mechanism. A second top-end closure panel (20a; 120a; 220a; 320a) and a first handle panel (34; 134; 234; 334) coupled thereto, comprise a second part (N2; 334) of the multi-part mechanical locking mechanism; and a third top end closure panel (22a; 122a; 222a; 322a) and a second handle panel (36; 136; 236; 336) coupled thereto, comprise a third part (N1; 336) of said multi-part mechanical locking mechanism.