Transportable Picnic Box

I have made a transportable picnic box that functions as an insulated food and drinks storage area, as well as a comfortable picnic mat easily sitting 4-6 people. I have made this for my helper Beth who lives in Singapore. She goes out with her friends every Sunday to have a picnic, but was using a disposable picnic mat each time, which was contributing to single use plastic and cost money. With this reusable picnic mat, not only does she not have to carry heavy food and drinks (which keeps it hot or cold) to their final destination, but she can also use it as a picnic mat and quickly pack it up once they are done.

1. Flexible plastic (outer shell)
2. Foam (for the seats)
3. 3d printed handle (I used fusion to make this)
4. Insulated material (food storage)
5. Velcro (to close)
6. Wheels (to move)
7. x4 wooden blocks (to drill in the wheels)
8. x4 screws (x2 for drilling, x2 for handle)
9. Electric Drill
10. Super Glue
11. PVA glue
12. Access to a 3D printer and CAD software
13. Plastic mat (extra seating area)
14. Pen knife (to cut the flexible plastic)

Below are some of the main key features:

1. Easily convert a transportable picnic box to a picnic mat
2. Comfy foam seats
3. Insulated food storage area
4. Adjustable handle
5. Extra seating area with an inbuilt plastic mat
6. Able to pick colours of your choice for the outer shell, foam seats, storage area, handle and plastic mat

1. With a wax based pencil I mapped out the net for the cube, on the flexible plastic. Since the design was really big (30 by 30cm for each square) I had to use separate sheets of plastic and glue them onto each other to make the next. To cut the net out, I used a pen knife with a cutting map.
2. Next, I used superglue to attach the foam seats onto each of the four squares.
3. I then cut out velcro (each strip was about 20cm) and attached them to the required flaps in the right places.
4. Then, using the same technique in step 1, I cut out the storage area which was slightly smaller (20 by 20cm) and attached the velcro. I also added some velcro to the base of the net and the bottom of the storage areas so that they would stay in place when transporting.
5. Next, I drilled on the wheels to the base of the net and used wooden blocks to secure them in place.
6. Lastly, I designed the model for the handle, because I wanted to have it height adjustable, I included 4 holes so that the user can benefit from the different heights. I then sent it to the 3d printer and attached the cylinders to the back of the net and ensured that the handle fit in well. To secure the handle at the different heights, I included 2 screws in the design which the user can use to adjust the height as they like.

This product will encourage people to spend time with their loved ones outside. Who wouldn't want to own this easy use, hassle free product that allows seamless transport that isn't restrained by time as it keeps your food hot or cold? This innovational product will lessen the stress on many people and encourage people to take a well needed break and connect with nature. Not only that, but you can express yourself when using it by customising the colour to your liking!