Asymmetric Pressurized Plastic Container Sidewall Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pressurized plastic containers with asymmetrical features suffer from tilting or lateral deflection under pressurization, which increases material costs when attempting to compensate with thicker sidewalls, hindering lightweight design and aesthetic differentiation in the packaging industry.

Innovation Solution

An asymmetric pressurized plastic container design with a cylindrical main body having a sidewall that is asymmetrical about its longitudinal axis, featuring a first feature on one side and a second feature on the opposing side to compensate for lateral deflection, where the second feature is strategically positioned to offset the longitudinal axis and minimize tilting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the sidewall thickness is increased to reduce tilting and lateral deflection, then the container strength and stability are improved, but the material costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer strengthVSAvoidmaterial costs
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by intentionally designing the container sidewall with non-uniform thickness distribution. Specifically, the sidewall thickness varies in different longitudinal zones to compensate for the bellows effect caused by molded features. This asymmetric thickness profile allows the container to maintain structural integrity and resist tilting under pressurization without requiring uniform thickening throughout, thereby controlling material usage and costs while achieving the desired strength and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Ease of operation

If asymmetrical features such as finger grips are molded into the sidewall, then the container provides utilitarian advantages to consumers, but the container experiences tilting and lateral deflection under pressurization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconsumer utilityVSAvoidcontainer stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the sidewall thickness locally in response to specific molded features. Where features like finger grips or other asymmetric moldings are present, the sidewall thickness is increased in specific longitudinal zones to compensate for the bellows effect. This localized thickening provides the necessary structural reinforcement to prevent tilting and lateral deflection while maintaining the aesthetic and functional integrity of the molded features, thereby preserving both consumer utility and container stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the sidewall thickness is increased to reduce deflection, then the container performance is improved, but the packaging becomes less competitively priced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer performanceVSAvoidmaterial costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the sidewall thickness profile as a variable parameter rather than using uniform thickness. The thickness is varied in different longitudinal zones based on the location and magnitude of asymmetric molded features. This parameter optimization allows the container to achieve reliable performance in resisting deflection and tilting while minimizing overall material usage, thereby maintaining competitive pricing while ensuring container performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10273033B2Asymmetric pressurized plastic container
Publication Date: 2019.04.30 GRAHAM PACKAGING CO LP
  • US10273033B2 patent drawing
  • US10273033B2 patent drawing
  • US10273033B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An asymmetric pressurized plastic container includes a bottom, a shoulder portion and a finish portion that is unitary with an upper end of the shoulder portion. A generally cylindrical bumper portion having a first longitudinal axis is provided at a lower end of the shoulder portion. A generally cylindrical main body portion having a second longitudinal axis is positioned beneath the bumper portion and has at least a first sidewall feature defined therein. The first and second longitudinal axes are offset so as to compensate for any lateral deflection of the container that may occur as a result of pressurization acting upon the first sidewall feature. In addition, the main body portion may include a second sidewall feature to provide additional compensation against lateral deflection of the container causes a result of pressurization acting upon the first sidewall feature.