Mooncakes, as the most traditional food with Chinese flavor, have been endowed with new connotations and higher packaging requirements due to changes in consumer demand and the improvement of consumption levels. The materials for mooncake packaging range from iron boxes, paper boxes, wooden boxes, plastic boxes, bamboo baskets, etc. Compared with other materials, iron boxes have their unique advantages. On the one hand, metal printing can use various new inks and advanced printing processes, making the printing surface glossy, the pattern beautiful, and colorful; On the other hand, the grade and price are relatively good. At the same price, iron boxes appear high-end and luxurious, suitable for mass gift packaging. More importantly, iron boxes are compatible with characteristics such as good strength, easy processing, easy styling, beautiful printing, and suitable storage. Therefore, among the various materials used for mooncake packaging, iron boxes have a large market share and are showing a trend of development year by year. So——
Traditional packaging of mooncakes
For a long time, the traditional packaging of mooncakes mainly consists of four square shaped packaging and eight circular jars with seven stars accompanying the moon, symbolizing a round sky and a round earth. The can body of a regular quadrilateral adopts a circular arc transition, the edge of the can mouth is formed by internal rolling, the can lid is formed by external rolling after stamping, and the can bottom and body adopt an external rolling edge structure; A circular can is only circular in overall shape, different from a regular quadrilateral, and has the same processing and forming structure as a regular quadrilateral. The overall shape is uniform and lacks personality that attracts consumers' attention, resulting in a decreasing market share year by year. Therefore, fully utilizing the advantages of iron boxes, designing new mooncake jars with novel structures, beautiful shapes, and diverse functions has become the primary task of packaging manufacturers and designers.
Combination molding design method for mooncake iron box
The combination molding design method mainly includes shape combination method and function combination method. It can also be divided into planar combination method and vertical combination method. The flat combination method is shown in Figure 1: The outer packaging box consists of two parts. The outermost layer is a beautifully designed paper box, and the inner layer is four separate fan-shaped iron boxes combined into a circle. The four fan-shaped boxes are cleverly combined into an organic whole through pattern design, and each fan-shaped box contains a different flavor of mooncake. In this way, mooncake boxes not only have the artistic conception of admiring the moon, but also have the characteristics of easy carrying and use, suitable for four mooncake boxes. As shown in Figure 2, the outer packaging box is also composed of two parts. The outermost layer is a beautifully designed iron box or paper box, and the inner layer consists of seven small fan-shaped shapes and a larger circular can, forming a whole large circle through structural design and pattern design. A large mooncake is placed inside the round jar, and a small mooncake is placed inside each small fan-shaped iron box, symbolizing the Mid Autumn Festival atmosphere of gathering together to admire the moon and respect elders. At the same time, it is easy to carry and use due to its individual independent packaging. Suitable for making mooncake boxes with seven stars accompanying the moon. Vertical combination method as shown in Figure 3: The can body is composed of four independent circular iron cans. The bottom of each small cylindrical can protrudes outward and is rolled together with the can body. The can body of the lowest small cylindrical can is rolled together with the can bottom. The can lid adopts a double-layer structure, with the inner and outer layers rolled together. In this way, after the four small cylindrical cans are fitted with the lid, a flat looking antique style basket shaped cake box is formed. The five parts are connected together with a golden lifting rope, which has a novel structural shape and secondary use. As shown in Figure 4, the can body is composed of two semi cylindrical shapes connected by hinges, with evenly pressed ribs in the middle. Through pattern design, a bamboo tube shaped visual effect is formed. The inner layer is composed of four independent small round cans, which can be formed by stamping or by rolling the can body and bottom, and rolling the can mouth according to the size of the small round cans. The top small round can is connected to the inner roll of the can body, while the other small round cans are riveted to the can body. The color of the riveting point is similar to the bamboo spot, and it is paired with a green hand-held rope, creating a seamless feeling. This can be used for four packs (one per small round) or for 16 packs (four mini mooncakes per small round). This structure is easy to open, has strong visibility and display, has a pastoral style, a green food atmosphere, and also has good secondary use performance.
The symbolic design of mooncake iron box
Mid Autumn Festival mooncakes are more of a culture than a food. They are a means of expressing emotions and passing on friendship, carrying the blessings and expectations of generations of ordinary people. Therefore, the design of mooncake boxes reflects a mooncake culture, which will enhance the cultural taste of mooncakes and benefit the sales of mooncakes. As shown in Figure 5: The mooncake box is made into a double heart or heart shape, with four mooncakes in the middle, directly expressing respect or love. It can be used as a holiday gift for children to give to their elders, or for elders to give to their children who are far away. In line with the traditional Chinese virtue of 'respecting the elderly and respecting the young'. As shown in Figure 6, the mooncake box is made in the shape of a thick book. One end of the can body is connected by a semi-circular block with a right angle transition. The can mouth of the can body is rolled inward, and the can lid is hinged to the semi-circular block. The can lid adopts a double-layer structure, with the inner layer protruding outward and forming a shape with the outer layer rolled inward. The can lid, bottom, and semi-circular block all extend out of the can body, and like the can body, the four corners are all right angles. When designing the appearance pattern, it is necessary to match the structure of the book and design some patterns with knowledge of mooncake culture, accompanied by some materials introducing mooncake culture. This will infuse mooncake culture into the atmosphere of appreciating the moon and giving gifts during the Mid Autumn Festival, making it suitable for young people and elders to give holiday gifts to children. At the same time, this can type also has good secondary uses, such as being used as a pencil case for children or for storing large books. As shown in Figure 7, the overall shape of the iron box is round on the outside and square on the inside, symbolizing a round sky and a round earth, a harmonious circle, and peace throughout the four seasons. The bottom of the can is connected to the inner roll of the can body, and the can mouth of the can body is rolled inward. When the can lid is a single-layer structure, the can body is pressed with convex ribs or necking. When the can lid is a double-layer structure, the can mouth of the can body is slightly flattened. The inner layer of the double-layer lid is connected to the outer layer of the inner roll, and a number of convex points are marked on the outer edge of the inner layer for positioning. The appearance of the double-layer lid can is flat, and the can shape is beautiful and novel. At the same time, the overall design resembles ancient copper coins, symbolizing the rolling wealth and other meanings. This type of jar can be paired with a cardboard box, with an iron box as the inner box, a central square hole for placing gifts such as tea leaves, and a cardboard box as the outer box.
The flowers are beautiful and the moon is full. Appreciating the moon under the moon is also one of the central topics of Mid Autumn Festival. Creative design around the moon has a wide range of creative ideas. The stepped lid type can shown in Figure 8 has the same body and bottom as the original ordinary can, except for the creative improvement of the lid. The lid is a multi-layer stepped shape, and the moon is represented by a window. There is a moon colored plastic and the edge of the hole is sealed, with both shapes and colors. Under the moon is a scene painting of admiring the moon. The whole jar gives a feeling of climbing up the stairs and admiring the moon under the moon. At the same time, the tank has a strong sense of three dimensionality, a simple and innovative structure.
The transplantation design method of mooncake iron box
There are various types of packaging materials for mooncakes, such as paper boxes, wooden boxes, plastic boxes, etc. Each material has its own unique shape characteristics. As a high-end gift iron box packaging, absorbing the strengths of various brands and combining the printing and processing characteristics of iron sheets for improvement, enriching and developing the structural shape of iron boxes is a practical and feasible method. Previously, the shape of iron boxes used rounded transitions, while paper boxes generally used folding right angles, as shown in Figure 9. The bottom and body of the can are made of the same sheet metal, and the can body is formed using folding technology, so that the four corners of the can body are right angles. The can body and mouth are rolled inward, and the four corners of the can lid are also right angles. The can lid is folded inward and pressed tightly, thus integrating the shape and processing characteristics of a cardboard box. The shape of the can is like a cardboard box, changing the traditional image of an iron box and giving a refreshing feeling. Suitable for 4 mooncake packs. As shown in Figure 10, the hexagonal deep lid nested can has a very small arc transition at the corner of the can body. After the can bottom extends, it is rolled and formed with the can body. The can lid is also divided into two parts. The molding process of the lid body and the can body is the same. The outer edge of the lid top is deep drawn, and the depth of the deep drawing is the same as the height of the inner rolled edge of the lid body. After the lid body and the lid top are rolled, the lid top is flush with the upper edge of the lid body, the lid top surface is flat, and the height of the can body and lid body is the same. After the lid is closed, the overall integrity of the can is strong. This iron box combines the appearance characteristics of plastic cake packaging boxes, accompanied by elegant color patterns, giving people a luxurious feeling, suitable for making seven star moon mooncake boxes.
Multi functional design method for mooncake iron box
Ordinary mooncake iron boxes are discarded directly after being packed with mooncakes due to their limited usefulness. While fully ensuring the packaging performance of mooncakes, designing multifunctional mooncake iron boxes is also an important way to expand the mooncake iron box market. As shown in Figure 11, the shape of the iron box is similar to a candy box, consisting of six semi-circular petals. The bottom of the can body is rolled inward, and the mouth of the can body is rolled inward. The can lid is formed by stamping, and the lid surface of the can lid is slightly convex or stepped. This type of jar is suitable for making a seven star moon jar. After consumers use it, it can be used as a candy box, providing consumers with multiple functional uses and product promotion for mooncake manufacturers, with a certain advertising effect. As shown in Figure 12, the hand pushed children's mooncake jar is rectangular in shape. The bottom of the jar is concave on the outer edge relative to the outer surface, and the depth of the concave is the same as the height of the rolled edge. After the bottom of the jar is rolled with the body of the jar, the outside of the bottom of the jar is flat, and the mouth of the jar body is rolled outward. The structure of the can lid is complex, with the edge of the lid curling inward. One end of the lid is cut off and folded inward behind the lid, and it is tightly pressed and transitioned with the circular arc of the lid body. Several positioning points are punched on the lid surface, and after the lid is closed, it achieves a hand push function. This structure is simple and innovative. After children finish eating mooncakes, it can be used as a tool box, which meets their purchasing psychology. As shown in Figure 13, the two mooncake buckets have no special structure, but they are relatively novel when used to hold mooncakes, giving people a generous and convenient feeling. After the Mid Autumn Festival, they can be used to hold tea or other food, which is in line with the purchasing psychology of housewives. For mooncake manufacturers, it also plays a certain role in product promotion.
The imitation design method of mooncake iron box
Imitation design is mainly used for the independent packaging of individual mooncakes. Some symbolic shapes are selected as models, and the shape design is combined with the printing and processing characteristics of iron sheets. This method has a wide range of applications and can design many can shapes, which is deeply loved by consumers. The two tank shapes shown in Figure 14, scallop shaped, give people a novel and high-end feeling. The upper and lower parts are connected by hinges, making it easy to open and carry, suitable for consumer groups such as children and girls. The heart-shaped jar has a clear meaning and is suitable for conveying emotions and ideas among young people when paired with corresponding patterns. It can also be used to hold small jewelry after the Mid Autumn Festival.
There are various methods for designing mooncake iron boxes. When designing mooncake iron boxes, the first thing to consider is the novelty of creativity, which should conform to the cultural customs and knowledge of mooncake culture that mooncakes rely on for survival. It should also conform to the consumption habits and psychology of consumers, and consider the adaptability of the market. It is necessary to lead the market and combine the characteristics and adaptability of iron sheet printing and mechanical processing to fully leverage the advantages of iron boxes. Finally, the novelty and rationality of the structure, the diversity of functions, and the convenience of use, opening, and carrying should be considered. Only in this way can mooncake iron boxes continuously adapt to the packaging requirements of mooncakes, conform to the image of high-end packaging, constantly innovate, and be loved by mooncake manufacturers and consumers. Only in this way can the product development of mooncake iron boxes be successful.
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