Composite Container Radial Ledge Separator Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional composite containers lack the ability to separate multiple products within the same container without compromising barrier properties or user access, making it difficult to store complementary items like food and condiments or promotional items together without intermingling.
Innovation Solution
A composite container design featuring a tubular body with a radially inward extending 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 enhanced protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separator is added to divide the container into multiple compartments, then product separation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into multiple compartments using a separator that divides the internal space. The separator creates distinct sections (first compartment and second compartment) that can hold different products, enabling product separation while maintaining a relatively simple overall container structure consisting of a tubular body, base, lid, and separator
Solution Approach 2:
A separator acts as an intermediary element between the two products. This separator is supported by a ledge structure that extends radially inward from the tubular body, providing a stable platform for the separator without requiring complex integration into the container walls
2Ease of operation
If the container structure is modified to include a ledge for separator support, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ledge is formed in advance during the container manufacturing process, before the separator is installed. This preliminary action of creating the ledge structure allows the separator to be easily installed later by simply placing it on the pre-formed ledge, improving ease of operation while the ledge can be formed with standard manufacturing tolerances
3Productivity
If multiple products are placed in the same compartment, then productivity is improved, but product quality deteriorates due to intermingling
Solution Approach 1:
The container compartment is segmented into multiple sections using a separator, allowing different products to be packaged separately within the same container. This maintains the productivity benefit of using a single container while preventing product intermingling that would compromise product quality
Solution Approach 2:
Different local regions (compartments) within the container are designated for different products. The separator creates distinct zones with specific functions - one side for the first product and the other side for the second product, ensuring each product maintains its quality characteristics without contact with incompatible products
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 effectively separates products within the same container while maintaining barrier properties and user accessibility, ensuring products remain separate and fresh, addressing the issue of intermingling and enhancing consumer convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a metallized Oriented Polypropylene (mOPP) liner ply adhered to the inner surface of the at least one paperboard body ply
Implementation Method 2
a localized force is applied to an exterior surface of the tubular body at a predefined location corresponding to a location of the groove of the mandrel in the interior of the tubular body as the tubular body is rotated, such that the localized force extends the tubular body radially inward at the predefined location so as to form a ledge
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A composite container (10) 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 (15) 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 a ledge (50). A separator (55), 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.