Collapsible Container Thin Wall Flexion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible containers with series of living hinges are costly to produce and unstable due to potential energy release with minimal force or heat, making them impractical for large-scale manufacturing and use.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible container with thin, foldable wall portions made from polypropylene or polyethylene, which can be converted between a flattened storage condition and an expanded in-use condition through manipulation, featuring a resilient thin wall portion that forms a region of flexion and reduces production costs while maintaining stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a series of living hinges is used to enable collapsible conversion, then the container can be moved between collapsed and expanded forms, but the production cost increases significantly and manufacturing becomes difficult or impossible on a large scale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the series of living hinges with a single thin wall portion (0.25-0.5mm thick) that acts as a flexible element enabling collapsible conversion. This thin wall portion is formed as an integrated feature of the container body through injection molding, eliminating the need for separate hinge components and complex assembly processes, thereby reducing production cost and enabling large-scale manufacturing while maintaining the collapsible functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the hinge functionality into the container wall structure itself by creating a thin wall portion that is integrally formed with the container body. This consolidation eliminates separate hinge components and simplifies the manufacturing process, allowing the container to be produced as a single molded piece with built-in collapsible capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If a series of living hinges is used to enable collapsible conversion, then the container can be compressed into a flattened state, but the stored potential energy can be released with minimal force or heat application, making the container unstable during use
Solution Approach 1:
The thin wall portion (0.25-0.5mm thick) provides controlled flexibility for collapsible conversion while maintaining sufficient structural integrity in the expanded state. The specific thickness range ensures the wall is flexible enough to allow compression but rigid enough to maintain stability during use, preventing unwanted expansion from minimal force or heat application
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the wall thickness parameter to a specific range (0.25-0.5mm) that balances flexibility and stability. This parameter control ensures the container can be deliberately collapsed when force is applied but remains stable during normal use, addressing the instability issue of living hinge designs
3Ease of operation
If the wall thickness is reduced to enable easier collapsing, then the container requires less force to convert between states, but the structural strength and stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and optimizes the wall thickness parameter to a specific range (0.25-0.5mm) that achieves the optimal balance between ease of collapsing and structural strength. This parameter control ensures the container requires reduced force for conversion while maintaining sufficient structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The thin wall portion is strategically located at specific positions in the container structure where flexibility is most needed for collapsible conversion, while other portions of the container maintain normal wall thickness to preserve overall structural strength and stability during use
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 container is cost-effective to produce, stable in both collapsed and expanded states, and requires less force to convert between conditions, addressing the limitations of living hinge-based containers.
Implementation Method 1
the thin wall portion is and/or substantially forms a region of flexion. Further typically the thin wall bend, flexes, folds and/or the like at one or more points on the area of the same when moving the container between the first and second conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A container (2) for food and/or beverage type items is at least partially defined by two or more wall portions including at least a first sidewall portion, and at least one thin or foldable wall portion (6). The container also includes a base portion and a lid (4). It is convertible between a first substantially flattened storage or transport condition and a second in-use or expanded condition by manipulation of the wall portions and/or base. The thin wall portion (6) is formed or located between a first sidewall portion and the base, and it is between 0.25 mm and 0.5 mm thick.