Collapsible Container With Integrated Thermoplastic Liner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional collapsible containers made of metal and paperboard struggle to contain fluids without leaking, as they require flexible liners that may tear or inner containers that compromise space-saving benefits, and injection molded thermoplastics face issues with 'plastic memory' that makes maintaining desired positions difficult.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible container design featuring resilient wall panels connected by flexible hinges that articulate between expanded and collapsed positions, with a lid that includes a peripheral groove to receive the container's upper lip in the expanded position and a recess for the collapsed position, using thermoplastic or biodegradable materials to minimize leakage and maintain structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flexible liners are added to metal or paperboard containers to prevent leakage, then fluid containment is improved, but the risk of tearing and leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible plastic liner made of thermoplastic material that forms an integral part of the container structure. The liner is formed by injecting molten plastic into a mold, creating a seamless, tear-resistant barrier that prevents fluid leakage without compromising the structural integrity of the container walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The container combines different materials to achieve both flexibility and strength: a rigid outer shell (metal or paperboard) provides structural support, while an integrated thermoplastic liner provides leak-proof containment. This composite structure eliminates the need for separate flexible liners that could tear.
2Reliability
If inner containers are added to collapsible containers to prevent leakage, then fluid containment is improved, but space-saving benefits are minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the leak-proof containment function with the container walls themselves by integrating a thermoplastic liner into the collapsible structure. This eliminates the need for separate inner containers, allowing the container to collapse to a flat configuration while maintaining leak-proof capabilities through the integrated liner.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible thermoplastic liner is formed as a thin, seamless barrier that conforms to the collapsible container's shape. When the container is collapsed, the liner folds with the walls, maintaining its leak-proof function without occupying additional space that would reduce the space-saving benefit.
3Ease of manufacture
If injection molded thermoplastics are used for collapsible containers, then manufacturing is simplified, but plastic memory makes it difficult to maintain desired positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates flexible hinges with articulated joints that allow the container walls to dynamically adjust between expanded and collapsed positions. The hinges are designed with specific geometric constraints and locking mechanisms that enable the container to maintain stable positions in both configurations while remaining manufacturable through injection molding.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is divided into multiple wall panels connected by flexible hinges, allowing each segment to move independently. This segmentation enables the container to transition smoothly between expanded and collapsed states while maintaining structural stability in both positions, overcoming the plastic memory issue through mechanical joint design.
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
The design allows for a leak-resistant, space-efficient container that remains in desired positions due to the articulating hinges and latching mechanisms, ensuring the container can be easily expanded or collapsed while maintaining structural integrity and preventing fluid leakage.
Implementation Method 1
resilient wall panels connected by flexible hinges that articulate between expanded and collapsed positions
Implementation Method 2
using thermoplastic or biodegradable materials to minimize leakage and maintain structural integrity
Data Source
AI summary
A storage device includes a collapsible container and a lid for the collapsible container. The collapsible container includes a plurality of wall panels hingedly connected to articulate between a collapsed position and an expanded position that defines an upper lip, and the upper lip further defines a square opening. The lid includes (i) a body that is adapted to cover the square opening in the collapsible container, (ii) a peripheral groove disposed in a side of the body, the groove extending along a square path configured to receive the upper lip of the collapsible container in the expanded position, and (iii) a plurality of wall sections projecting from the same side of the body. The wall sections are disposed radially inwardly from the peripheral groove and define a recess having four sides formed to receive therein an outer periphery of the collapsible container in a substantially parallel orientation with the body when the collapsible container is in the collapsed position.