Stackable Plastic Container Shoulder Flexing Under Top Load

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stackable plastic containers face challenges in withstanding hydrostatic pressure and top loading forces, which can lead to deformation and inefficiencies in shipping and storage.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a base portion with upwardly-extending central base and reinforcement formations, a sidewall portion with reinforcement ribs, and an upper portion with a shoulder and neck that can flex under top load, allowing for efficient stacking and hydrostatic pressure resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the container uses conventional sidewall reinforcement to prohibit deformation, then structural strength is improved, but the container cannot flex under top load forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidflexibility under top load

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The container applies different structural qualities to different regions: the sidewall portions have reinforcement formations for strength, while the shoulder portions are designed to be flexible and compliant. This local differentiation allows the container to simultaneously resist deformation in critical areas while accommodating top load forces through controlled flexing of the shoulder portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the container is designed for stackability, then shipping efficiency is improved, but the container must withstand significant hydrostatic pressure and top loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshipping efficiencyVSAvoidresistance to hydrostatic pressure and top loads

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The container structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: base portions with reinforcement formations for strength, sidewall portions with intermediate reinforcement, and shoulder portions designed for flexibility. This segmentation allows each zone to specialize in its primary function while working together to achieve both stackability and pressure resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The container design converts the harmful hydrostatic pressure and top load forces into a beneficial mechanism: the shoulder portions flex downward under these forces, which actually helps to distribute and dissipate the loads through controlled deformation, preventing catastrophic failure and enabling efficient stacking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Strength

If the container uses extensive reinforcement formations, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement formations are merged into the integral blow-molded structure of the container rather than being added as separate components. This integration allows the reinforcement features to be created in a single manufacturing process, reducing assembly steps and manufacturing complexity while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enables containers to withstand significant hydrostatic pressures and top loads, maintaining structural integrity and facilitating efficient case-less shipping and storage by utilizing the hydrostatic force of contents to counteract top loads.

Implementation Method 1

A portion of the shoulder portion may be configured to flex downwardly in response to a top load force applied to the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The base portion may be configured to withstand hydrostatic pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrostatic pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS10518933B2Stackable plastic container

Publication Date: 2019.12.31 PLASTIPAK PACKAGING INC

AI summary

A stackable plastic container includes a base portion, a sidewall portion, and an upper portion. The base portion is configured to support the container, and includes an upwardly-extending central base portion and a base reinforcement formation. The sidewall portion extends upwardly from the base portion, and may include a sidewall reinforcement formation. The upper portion extends upwardly from the sidewall portion, and includes a shoulder portion, an angled portion, a neck portion, and a dispensing opening. The base portion may be configured to withstand hydrostatic pressure. A portion of the shoulder portion may be configured to flex downwardly in response to a top load force applied to the neck of the container. The upwardly extending central base portion may be configured to receive an upper portion of another container. With embodiments, in a stacked configuration, the upper portion of another container contacts the central base portion of the container.