Blow-Molded Container Ribs and Grips for Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Blow-molded containers face challenges in achieving stability while minimizing material usage and energy consumption, as reduced wall thickness compromises structural integrity and handling safety.

Innovation Solution

The method involves forming injection-molded preforms into containers with at least three recessed grips along the outer circumference, featuring longitudinal ribs separated by a trough and circumferential ribs within the grips, which enhance stability and gripping security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If wall thickness is reduced to minimize material usage, then material consumption decreases, but structural integrity and stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial consumptionVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The side wall is segmented into multiple functional elements: longitudinal ribs (dividing the wall into sections), circumferential ribs (creating horizontal reinforcement), and recessed grips (providing localized reinforcement). This segmentation allows thin-walled construction while maintaining overall strength through distributed reinforcement elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the container wall have different thicknesses and reinforcement levels. The recessed grips and rib areas have localized material concentration where strength is needed, while other areas maintain minimal thickness. This creates non-uniform wall quality optimized for both material efficiency and structural requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Use of energy by moving object

If wall thickness is reduced to minimize energy consumption, then energy usage decreases, but stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcontainer stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The container wall is divided into reinforced segments (ribs and grips) and minimal-thickness sections. This segmentation allows the container to achieve required stability with less total material, reducing the energy needed for heating and processing while maintaining structural integrity through strategically placed reinforcement elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of increasing wall thickness in a single dimension, the patent adds structural complexity in multiple dimensions through three-dimensional ribbing and recessed grip formations. This multi-dimensional reinforcement provides stability equivalent to thicker walls while using less material and energy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If recessed grips are added to improve handling safety, then gripping security improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegripping securityVSAvoidmold structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The recessed grips are merged with the existing rib structure, combining reinforcement and handling functions into a single integrated feature. The grips form as natural extensions of the ribbing pattern, eliminating the need for separate grip components and reducing overall mold complexity while providing both structural reinforcement and improved handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rib-grip structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: longitudinal ribs provide vertical reinforcement, circumferential ribs provide horizontal reinforcement, and recessed grips provide both structural reinforcement and improved handling. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate features, simplifying the overall mold design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design improves the mechanical strength and stability of the containers, allowing for secure handling and storage while maintaining a balance between blow moldability and structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

a heating device and a blow molding device, in the area of ​​which the previously temperature-controlled preform is expanded

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

The expansion takes place with the help of compressed air, which is introduced into the preform to be expanded

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure increase: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

the previously temperature-controlled preform is expanded by biaxial orientation to form a container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBiaxial orientation:

Data Source

PatentEP2598407B1Method for producing blow-molded containers and blow-molded container
Publication Date: 2016.05.11 KHS CORPOPLAST GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2598407B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2598407B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2598407B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The blow-molded container (1) comprises an opening section (2) that can be closed, a side wall (3), and a closed bottom (4). The material in the region of the side wall is shaped by blow forming an injection-molded preform. At least three recessed grips (10) are arranged along an outer perimeter of the container. At least two longitudinal ribs (13) oriented in a longitudinal direction of the container are arranged between each pair of recessed grips. The longitudinal ribs are separated from each other by a recess (14), which also extends in a longitudinal direction. At least one circumferential rib (15), which extends in a circumferential direction of the container, is arranged inside each of the recessed grips.