Composite Container Ledge Separator for Product Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional composite containers are unable to effectively separate multiple products within the same container without compromising barrier properties or user access, leading to issues such as intermingling of food items or promotional products.
Innovation Solution
A composite container design featuring a tubular body with a radially extended ledge to support a separator, creating multiple compartments while maintaining easy access and barrier properties, using a metallized Oriented Polypropylene (mOPP) liner ply and a liner sealant for moisture and oxygen barrier, and allowing for easy removal of the separator for access to both compartments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple products are placed in the same container compartment, then container space is utilized, but products intermingle and product integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The container compartment is segmented into multiple sub-compartments using a separator element. The separator divides the single large compartment into smaller sections, allowing different products to be stored separately while maintaining container space utilization. Each product remains isolated in its own section, preserving product integrity.
2Reliability
If a separator is added to divide the container into multiple compartments, then product separation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separator is constructed as a thin, flexible element that can be easily inserted and removed from the container. This thin-film approach provides effective product separation without adding significant structural complexity or bulk to the container system.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator is designed to be removable and repositionable, allowing the container configuration to be dynamically changed. Users can remove the separator to access products or reposition it to create different compartment arrangements, maintaining simplicity while providing separation when needed.
3Reliability
If the container is sealed at both ends, then barrier properties are maintained, but user access to products becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The container system is segmented into a sealed container body and a removable separator element. This segmentation allows the container to maintain its sealed barrier properties while enabling easy product access through separator removal. The separation of sealing function (container) from access function (separator) resolves the contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable separator acts as an intermediary element between the sealed container and the user. It provides a simple access mechanism that doesn't compromise the sealed barrier properties of the container itself. Users interact with the separator rather than breaking the seal, maintaining barrier integrity while enabling access.
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 solution allows for the separation of products within the same container without compromising barrier properties, enhancing user convenience and product integrity by maintaining separate compartments while ensuring easy access and maintaining product freshness.
Implementation Method 1
a metallized Oriented Polypropylene (mOPP) liner ply adhered to the inner surface of the at least one paperboard body ply... for moisture and oxygen barrier
Implementation Method 2
A liner sealant may be disposed on an inner surface of the mOPP liner ply
Data Source
AI summary
A composite container is provided for holding one or more products (e.g., snack foods, toys, etc.) in separate compartments within the same container. The container includes a tubular body defining a first end and a second end, and the tubular body extends radially inward at a predefined location between the first and second ends to form an angled ledge. A separator, such as a paperboard or plastic disk, can be placed on the ledge, such that the separator defines a first compartment on one side of the separator and a second compartment on the other side of the separator. In this way, a product can be stored in the first compartment, and a product can be stored in the second compartment, and the user can have access to both in the same container. Associated methods of manufacturing a composite container with multiple compartments are also provided.