Acoustic Container Tagging via Bottom Geometric Features

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Solution Overview

Problem

In injection molding, variations in acoustic properties between containers or cavities can affect acoustic characterization and droplet ejection, making it difficult to accurately determine the acoustic impedance of fluids within these containers.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of containers with specific geometric features such as recesses, grooves, or protrusions on the bottom, which provide multiple times of flight for acoustic signals, allowing for the characterization of acoustic impedance based on signal reflections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If containers are produced using multi-cavity molds to increase manufacturing scale, then productivity increases, but variations in acoustic properties between containers from different cavities make acoustic characterization difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing scaleVSAvoidacoustic impedance determination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating unique geometric tags (recesses, grooves, or protrusions) into the container bottom during the injection molding process itself. These tags are created as part of the mold cavity design, allowing each container to have a predetermined acoustic signature before it leaves the mold. This enables later identification and characterization of the container's origin cavity and acoustic properties without requiring additional post-processing or measurement steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating specific localized geometric features (tags) at predetermined locations on the container bottom. These local variations in geometry (recesses, grooves, or protrusions with specific dimensions and patterns) create distinct acoustic reflections that identify the container's origin cavity. The local geometric modifications do not affect the overall container function but provide unique acoustic fingerprints for each cavity or container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If geometric tags are added to container bottoms to enable acoustic identification, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer identificationVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining the identification function with the existing container bottom structure. The geometric tags (recesses, grooves, or protrusions) are integrated into the bottom of the container during injection molding, merging the identification feature with the structural component. This eliminates the need for separate identification devices or additional attachment steps, as the container bottom itself serves both structural and identification purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies universality by designing the container bottom to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains the fluid, and simultaneously serves as an identification element through the integrated geometric tags. The same bottom structure that is necessary for container functionality also carries the acoustic identification features, making the structure multi-functional and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables accurate identification and characterization of containers and their contents, facilitating the tracking of molding location and maintaining assumptions about plastic properties, thus ensuring proper acoustic droplet ejection parameters can be selected.

Implementation Method 1

the bottom being configured to receive an acoustic signal, the bottom including a plurality of recesses, grooves, or protrusions thereon or therein so as to provide a plurality of times of flight of the acoustic signal through the bottom

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic reflection: Reflection