FOLD TO HOLD: A Clever Solution for Fast Food Dining

A paper tray mat designed to prevent food from being taken away prematurely

FOLD TO HOLD is a paper tray mat specifically designed for individuals dining alone in fast food establishments. When a diner needs to leave their seat temporarily, they can easily tear the paper along the dotted line and fold it up. This action conveys the message of "haven't finished" to the waiters, indicating that their food should be held until they return.

The unique properties of FOLD TO HOLD make it stand out from other paper tray designs. Its simplicity and ease of use allow diners to communicate their intentions clearly without the need for verbal communication. The tray mat is printed with the phrase "haven't finished" on the back, along with instructions on the front. The dotted lines on the paper mat serve as a guide for tearing and folding.

The realization of this design involves printing the necessary text and instructions on the paper, as well as punching the guiding holes to create the dotted lines. The size of the tray mat remains the same as a standard paper tray.

The FOLD TO HOLD project was initiated in January 2015 in China and was completed in February 2015. Extensive research was conducted in various restaurants to understand the frequency of the problem and the need for a solution. The designers discovered that the issue of unfinished food being taken away by waiters during a diner's temporary absence was indeed a common occurrence.

Facing the challenge of preventing waiters from mistakenly clearing away unfinished food, the designers developed FOLD TO HOLD as an innovative and practical solution. By tearing and folding the paper tray along the dotted lines, diners can effectively communicate their intention to hold their food until they return.

FOLD TO HOLD has received recognition for its outstanding design. It was awarded the Silver A' Design Award in the Sustainable Products, Projects, and Green Design category in 2016. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate exceptional expertise, innovation, technical characteristics, and artistic skill. FOLD TO HOLD not only showcases excellence but also evokes positive emotions, amazement, and wonder.

The intellectual property rights for FOLD TO HOLD belong to the School of Design at South University of Technology. This design serves as a testament to the creativity and problem-solving abilities of JM Yu, QY Zhou, J Wang, GW Lyu, and QY Yu, who have successfully addressed a common issue in fast food dining with their innovative paper tray mat.