Blow Molded Container Deep-Set Grip Inversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional blow molding techniques face challenges in forming deep protrusions, such as those found in container bases and grips, due to insufficient material orientation and distribution, leading to issues like reduced structural integrity, increased weight, and design compromises that affect the container's ability to stand on a flat surface.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a mold with a recess and a movable region that is initially formed outside the container, then inverted inward to create a deep-set grip, allowing for improved material orientation and reduced weight while maintaining structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional blow molding is used to form deep protrusions, then the container can be manufactured, but the plastic material cannot properly flow and stretch around the protrusion due to contact friction, resulting in insufficient material distribution and poor definition at the base region

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial distribution and definition at base regionVSAvoiddifficulty of plastic material flow around deep protrusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of forming the deep protrusion directly in the mold (which causes material flow problems), the invention inverts the approach by forming a corresponding recess in the mold. The plastic material is blown into this recess, allowing it to flow properly and define the base region accurately without the friction problems of flowing around external protrusions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameter of the mold from a protruding feature to a recessing feature. This parameter change fundamentally alters the material flow dynamics, enabling the plastic to penetrate and define the base region properly while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If deep-set grips are blown with conventional processes, then gripping regions are formed, but plastic material becomes trapped in the grip regions, starving other regions of material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripping capabilityVSAvoidmaterial distribution to various container regions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional approach by forming the grip regions as recesses in the mold rather than protrusions. This allows the plastic material to flow into the grip regions without becoming trapped, ensuring proper material distribution throughout the container while still achieving the desired gripping capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If design compromises are made to move thinner regions closer to the container axis, then more material can be provided for grip regions, but the container weight increases and structural integrity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrip region material sufficiencyVSAvoidcontainer weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the mold geometry parameter from protrusions to recesses, which fundamentally improves material flow. This allows the container to be manufactured with optimized material distribution, providing sufficient material for grip regions without increasing overall container weight or compromising structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach enhances the rigidity and definition of the container's gripping regions, reduces material usage, and simplifies the mold setup, resulting in a container that can securely grip and maintain its shape without excessive weight or design complexities.

Implementation Method 1

a gas is forced into the perform causing it to stretch and to take the shape of the mold

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

the preform is blown to form the container... causing it to stretch and to take the shape of the mold

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 3

moving the movable region about the hinge before filling the blow molded container with liquid or other consumable product

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical movement: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS8747727B2Method of forming container

Publication Date: 2014.06.10 CO2 PAC

AI summary

A container forming assembly and method includes receiving a parison within a cavity of a mold, enclosing the parison within the mold having a wall with a recess, inflating the parison in the mold to form a blow molded container where the blow molded container has a sidewall, a movable region formed at the recess, and a hinge circumscribing an interface between the sidewall and the movable region, and moving or repositioning the movable region toward an interior of the blow molded container about the hinge before filling. The movable region can form a deep-set grip. Further, multiple movable regions can be provided, each of which may form respective deep-set grips. The container shape can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.