Composite Container Fitment Segmentation for Recyclability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for storing perishable and chemical products are costly to manufacture due to the need for dual-purpose materials that provide structural support, puncture protection, and a barrier against the product, which also complicates recycling by making the internal surfaces unsuitable for reuse.
Innovation Solution
A composite container design featuring a fitment with a hermetic seal and a separate, recyclable pouch that can be easily disassembled from a rigid can body, allowing for segregation of components for recycling, reducing manufacturing costs and environmental waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the container walls are designed to provide both structural support and barrier function, then the container integrity and product containment are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases due to requiring dual-purpose materials or additional coatings
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into two separate components: an outer container providing structural support and puncture protection, and an inner liner providing the barrier function. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function using appropriate materials, eliminating the need for expensive dual-purpose materials or additional coating steps while maintaining both structural integrity and product containment.
2Reliability
If the container walls are designed to provide both structural support and barrier function, then the container integrity and product containment are improved, but the recyclability deteriorates as the internal surfaces become unsuitable for reuse
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the barrier function into a removable inner liner, the outer container remains clean and free from product contamination. This allows the outer container to be recycled or reused without being soiled by the stored product, while the inner liner can be disposed of or recycled separately according to its material composition.
3Reliability
If different materials are used for the container components, then the functional requirements are better met, but the manufacturing cost increases due to the expense of providing fluid-tight joints at the interface
Solution Approach 1:
The inner liner is designed as a flexible bag or pouch that can be sealed to the rim of the rigid outer container. This flexible membrane approach creates an effective fluid-tight joint without requiring complex welding or sealing mechanisms, as the liner can be heat-sealed or mechanically attached to the container rim in a cost-effective manner.
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3A~5B
Figure 6A~6B
AI summary
A composite container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 411, 412, 510, 520) for storing product in a hermetically-sealed volume (14, 18, 314, 318, 414, 514) includes a fitment (20, 60, 70, 80, 90, 120, 220, 260, 270, 320, 370, 420, 421, 490, 510, 520, 620) that forms one end of the container (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 411, 412, 510, 520). The fitment (20, 60, 70, 80, 90, 120, 220, 260, 270, 320, 370, 420, 421, 490, 510, 520, 620) has an outer face (22), an inner face (26), a perimeter edge (30, 72, 82, 92, 130, 132, 230, 262, 272, 386, 430, 492, 530) with an attachment surface (32, 64, 74, 84, 94, 132, 232, 264, 388, 432, 494, 532) formed therein, and an aperture (34, 134, 234, 275, 374, 434, 534, 634) between the outer face (22) and the inner face (26) with an aperture mount (36, 66, 78, 88, 96, 276, 376, 436) configured to receive and secure a closure (100, 106) for sealing the aperture (34, 134, 234, 275, 374, 434, 534, 634) of the container (10, 1 10, 210, 310, 410, 41 1, 412, 510, 520). The fitment (20, 60, 70, 80, 90, 120, 220, 260, 270, 320, 370, 420, 421, 490, 510, 520, 620) also includes a sealing surface (28, 68, 78, 86, 88, 98, 128, 228, 268, 328, 378, 428) on the inner face (26) that surrounds the aperture (34, 134, 234, 275, 374, 434, 534, 634), and a products pouch (140, 240, 340, 440, 640) with a pouch opening that is sealed to the sealing surface (28, 68, 78, 86, 88, 98, 128, 228, 268, 328, 378, 428). The fitment (20, 60, 70, 80, 90, 120, 220, 260, 270, 320, 370, 420, 421, 490, 510, 520, 620) further includes a can (250, 450, 640) having a first end (51, 52, 152, 452) that is coupled to the attachment surface (32, 64, 74, 84, 94, 132, 232, 264, 388, 432, 494, 532) of the fitment (20, 60, 70, 80, 90, 120, 220, 260, 270, 320, 370, 420, 421, 490, 510, 520, 620) and a substantially-rigid tubular body extending away from the fitment (20, 60, 70, 80, 90, 120, 220, 260, 270, 320, 370, 420, 421, 490, 510, 520, 620) to form an interior volume (14, 18, 314, 318, 414, 514) that surrounds the products pouch (140, 240, 340, 440, 640).