Pressurizable Container Base Cup Mechanical Engagement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Pressurizable containers with irregular bases face challenges in standing upright on horizontal surfaces due to their design, and existing attachment methods for base cups are either unsightly, costly, or require additional manufacturing steps, while also potentially causing leakage or waste during dispensing.

Innovation Solution

A container with a 45-degree bottom cone and a base cup featuring a mechanical engagement system that allows for secure attachment without adhesives, ensuring the container can sit upright and maintain pressure integrity without visible lines or additional material costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a hemispherical base is used to resist pressure, then pressure resistance is improved, but the container cannot sit upright on horizontal surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure resistanceVSAvoidupright stability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The base is divided into two functional segments: a hemispherical lower portion for pressure resistance and a flat upper portion for upright stability. This segmentation allows each segment to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base transitions from a symmetric hemispherical shape to an asymmetric structure with a flat top surface. This asymmetric design enables the container to sit upright on horizontal surfaces while maintaining the pressure-resistant hemispherical curvature below.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If groove/projection engagement systems are used to attach the base cup, then attachment reliability is improved, but visible lines or ridges appear at the interface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidsurface smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement features (grooves and projections) are concentrated in a localized region at the base cup-container interface, while the surrounding surfaces maintain smooth, continuous geometry. This localizes the mechanical engagement to specific points without creating visible ridges across the entire interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The base cup and container interface are designed with curved, continuous surfaces that eliminate sharp ridges. The groove/projection engagement features are integrated into the curved geometry, allowing smooth transitions that prevent visible lines from forming at the interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If adhesive attachment is used to join the base cup to the container, then attachment reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and material costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive attachment system is replaced with a purely mechanical engagement system using grooves and projections. This substitution eliminates the need for adhesive materials and additional manufacturing steps while maintaining reliable attachment through mechanical interlocking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive component is completely removed from the attachment system. The connection between the base cup and container is achieved solely through mechanical groove/projection engagement, extracting the adhesive element from the design to simplify manufacturing and reduce material costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If the dip tube is positioned at the lowest point of the container, then dispensing efficiency is improved, but the tube may not be immersed in contents when the container is tilted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing efficiencyVSAvoidtilt adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The dip tube is designed with flexibility to dynamically adjust its position and maintain immersion in the contents regardless of container orientation. The tube can bend and move to follow the contents level, ensuring continuous dispensing efficiency whether the container is upright or tilted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8523005B2Supportable pressurizable container having a base cup

Publication Date: 2013.09.03 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

A container having a curved bottom and base cup which allows the container to stand upright. The container and base cup are fitted together by a mechanical engagement having portions on the container and base cup. The mechanical engagement of the container is disposed within the bottom cone of the container. The mechanical engagement of the base cup is cantilevered from the bottom of the base cup. Such disposition reduces stress at the interface between the side wall of the container and edge of the base, providing for a smoother transition and better appearance. Also, this disposition provides resistance to separation of the container and base cup during drop impact. The bottom of the container may be curved and have a well therein for receiving the contents of the container and a dip tube.