Delamination Container Engaging Protrusion Stabilizes Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In delamination containers produced by insert molding, the volume reduction state of the inner layer body becomes unstable, leading to blocked dispensing paths and impaired operability when a pump is attached, causing issues with complete dispensing of the content liquid.

Innovation Solution

A delamination container design featuring an engaging protrusion on the bottom that extends along the axial center from the trunk to the mouth, engaging with either the outer or inner layer body in an undercutting manner, stabilizes the inner layer body's volume reduction and deformation, preventing adhesion and maintaining dispensing operability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the inner layer body is allowed to separate from the outer layer body during dispensing, then the content liquid can be dispensed without replacement with ambient air, but the inner layer body undergoes irregular volume reduction and deformation causing adhesion of inner surfaces and blocking of dispensing path

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality preservation of content liquidVSAvoiddispensing operability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into two separate layer bodies (outer layer body and inner layer body) that can function independently. The inner layer body separates from the outer layer body during dispensing to allow content liquid discharge without ambient air replacement, while the outer layer body maintains structural integrity and provides the dispensing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An engaging protrusion structure acts as an intermediary element between the inner and outer layer bodies. This protrusion extends from the bottom of the inner layer body and engages with the outer layer body to prevent excessive deformation and adhesion of the inner layer body during volume reduction, while still allowing controlled separation for dispensing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the inner layer body is fixed to the outer layer body, then deformation and adhesion are prevented, but the volume reduction state becomes unstable and dispensing path may be blocked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing operabilityVSAvoidvolume reduction state stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The engaging protrusion is provided locally at the bottom area of the inner layer body where it is most needed to prevent adhesion during volume reduction. This localized engagement structure prevents excessive deformation at the critical bottom region while allowing the rest of the inner layer body to separate freely from the outer layer body for proper dispensing operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Extent of automation

If a pump is attached to the container, then automated dispensing is enabled, but the flow path of the pipe for pumping becomes blocked due to unstable volume reduction state of the inner layer body

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated dispensingVSAvoidpumping flow path畅通性
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The engaging protrusion serves as a mediator structure that stabilizes the volume reduction state of the inner layer body when a pump is attached. By providing controlled engagement between the inner and outer layer bodies at the bottom, the protrusion prevents irregular deformation that would otherwise block the pumping flow path, ensuring reliable automated dispensing operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3438012B1Delamination container and prefrom
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 YOSHINO KOGYOSHO CO LTD
  • EP3438012B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3438012B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3438012B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a delamination container (1) comprising an engaging protrusion (10) that is provided in an area (A1) extending over at least a ground contact portion (6a) and a recess (6b) and protrudes from either one of an outer layer body (2) and an inner layer body (3) and engages with the other in an undercutting manner. Further, provided is a preform (11) comprising an engaging protrusion (20) that is provided in an area (A2) extending from at least a boundary between a bottom (16) and a trunk (15) to just before an axial center (O2) of the bottom (16) and protrudes from either one of an outer body (12) and an inner body (13) and engages with the other in an undercutting manner.