Collapsible Container Fold-Line Structure for Predictable Collapse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible containers for liquid dispensers lack a predictable and controlled collapsing mechanism, which can lead to undesirable stress on dispenser housing structures and inefficient product evacuation.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible container design featuring specific diagonal fold lines in the side and rear walls, along with reinforcing geometries in the front wall, ensures a repeatable and controlled collapse, maintaining the container's flatness and efficient product evacuation towards the pump inlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If simple film-type plastic bags are used as collapsible containers, then the device complexity is reduced, but the container cannot collapse in a predictable manner and may bulge, kink or twist within the dispenser
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple panels (front, rear, left side, right side walls) that can fold independently along predetermined fold lines. This segmentation allows each panel to collapse in a controlled sequence, preventing the container from bulging, kinking or twisting while maintaining structural integrity during the collapsing process.
Solution Approach 2:
Fold lines are pre-formed in the container walls during manufacturing, creating predetermined collapse paths. These pre-established fold lines ensure that when product is dispensed, the container collapses in a predictable manner along these pre-planned trajectories, avoiding random deformation and stress on dispenser structures.
2Ease of manufacture
If the container collapses without controlled fold lines, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the container may change shape undesirably and place stresses on dispenser housing structures
Solution Approach 1:
The container structure is segmented into multiple panels connected by fold lines, allowing controlled collapse that directs forces along predetermined paths rather than creating unpredictable stress points on the dispenser housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The fold lines act as intermediary elements that mediate the collapse process, distributing and directing the forces generated during container collapse away from the dispenser housing structures, thereby preventing harmful stresses while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Device complexity
If the container collapses unpredictably, then no special structural features are needed, but product evacuation efficiency decreases as the collapsing container cannot effectively force product toward the pump inlet
Solution Approach 1:
Fold lines are pre-formed in the container walls during manufacturing, creating predetermined collapse paths. These pre-established fold lines ensure that when product is dispensed, the container collapses in a predictable manner along these pre-planned trajectories, avoiding random deformation and stress on dispenser structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The container structure is designed to dynamically adapt its shape during collapse through the fold lines, which allow the container to transition from a rigid box shape to a compressed state while maintaining the ability to push product toward the pump inlet through controlled deformation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A collapsible container (10) includes a first right side wall fold line (34) in a right side wall (22) extending in a general diagonal direction downwardly and away from a rear wall (18). A first left side wall fold line (30) is provided in a left side wall (20) and extends in a general diagonal direction substantially similar to the first right side wall fold line. A rear wall fold line (38) extends across the rear wall, separating it into a first facet (40) between the rear wall fold line and the top wall (24) and a second facet (42) between the rear wall fold line and a bottom wall (26). Removal of the product from the container causes the container volume to decrease, and the container folds along the first right side wall fold line, first left side wall fold line and rear wall fold line such that the first facet folds down toward the second facet.