Conical Paint Container with Flush Metal Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional paint containers are not stackable when empty due to their cylindrical shape and inner bands that protrude inward, preventing complete emptying and allowing liquid to collect, and they are prone to rust when used with water-based paints.

Innovation Solution

A plastic-bodied, conical container with a crimped, plastic-coated tinplate ring at the upper mouth that is flush with the inner wall, allowing for complete emptying and preventing rust, while enabling stacking when empty.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the container has an inner band protruding inward at the upper mouth, then the container structure is simplified and easier to manufacture, but the container cannot be completely emptied as liquid collects at the band

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidcomplete emptying
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful protruding band is completely removed from the container structure. The upper mouth of the container is designed without any inward-protruding elements, allowing liquid to flow out completely without collecting at a protrusion. This extraction of the problematic feature resolves the contradiction by enabling complete emptying while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If the container has a cylindrical body, then the container is easier to manufacture and has simpler structure, but the container cannot be stacked when empty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidstackability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container body is given a conical shape with a curved surface that tapers toward the bottom. This curvature allows empty containers to be stacked efficiently with one inside another, reducing storage space. The curved conical form maintains manufacturing simplicity while enabling the stacking function that cylindrical containers lack.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of manufacture

If the container uses raw tinplate band for the ring, then the container is more cost-effective, but rust forms due to contact with water-based contents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecost-effectivenessVSAvoidrust prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ring is constructed as a composite structure combining tinplate band (for cost-effectiveness and structural strength) with a plastic coating layer (for rust prevention). The plastic-coated tinplate band provides both the mechanical properties of metal and the corrosion resistance of plastic, resolving the contradiction between cost and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Quantity of substance

If the container body is made larger to accommodate contents, then the container can hold more paint, but the storage volume increases when containers are empty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer capacityVSAvoidstorage volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Empty containers are designed to nest inside one another due to the conical shape that tapers toward the bottom. This nesting capability allows multiple empty containers to be stored in a compact arrangement, significantly reducing the storage volume required while maintaining full container capacity when in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 can be completely emptied and stacked efficiently, reducing storage volume and preventing rust, while being cost-effective and reliable.

Implementation Method 1

the ring 3 is advantageously provided with a plastic-coated tinplate band at the region of the ring that faces the inside of the container, while the remaining part of the ring is painted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier protection: Coatings

Implementation Method 2

the tinplate band 3 is advantageously arranged so as to be flush with the inner wall 5 of the container, in such a way that the complete emptying of the container is ensured since the band 3 does not constitute an obstacle to the outward flow of the liquid contents when the container is overturned

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitational flow: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

the conical shape of the body of the container enables the stacking of identical containers, when these are empty, thus making it possible to reduce the storage volumes of the containers and at the same time facilitate the transport thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGeometric nesting: Nesting

Data Source

PatentEP2628609B1Container, particularly for water-based paints and the like
Publication Date: 2015.12.30 POLI BOX ITAL
  • EP2628609B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2628609B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2628609B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A container (1), particularly adapted for water-based paints and the like, which comprises a body (2) made of plastic material, the body (2) being conical so that it can be stacked when empty and further comprising a metal ring (3) adapted to be crimped to the upper mouth (4) of the container so as to be flush with the inner wall (5) of the body (2) of the container (1).