Dual Flexible Panel Hot-Fill Container Vacuum Uptake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hot-fill plastic containers face limitations in achieving sufficient vacuum uptake capacity due to design constraints, particularly aesthetic considerations that restrict the size of vacuum panels, hindering their ability to accommodate volumetric contraction effectively.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a dual flexible panel configuration within the container body, comprising an outer flexible panel portion that changes shape from flat or convex to concave under underpressure and an inner flexible panel portion that flexes to accommodate internal pressure changes, allowing for increased vacuum uptake capacity without increasing panel size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the size of vacuum panels is increased to achieve greater vacuum uptake capacity, then the container can accommodate more volumetric contraction, but the aesthetic appearance of the container is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing an inner flexible panel portion inside the outer flexible panel portion, creating a compact dual-panel structure. This nested configuration allows both panels to occupy the same general space, enabling increased vacuum uptake capacity without extending the external dimensions of the container, thus preserving aesthetic appearance while improving functional capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single two-dimensional panel to a three-dimensional nested panel structure. The inner panel is positioned within the outer panel, utilizing the third dimension (depth) to create additional flexing capacity. This dimensional transition allows the container to achieve greater volumetric contraction accommodation without increasing the external footprint or compromising aesthetic appearance.
2Shape
If the vacuum panel size is limited to maintain aesthetic preferences, then the container appearance is preserved, but the vacuum uptake capacity becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the inner flexible panel within the outer flexible panel, the invention effectively doubles the flexing surface area within the same external footprint. This allows the container to maintain its aesthetic appearance with limited panel size while the nested structure provides sufficient vacuum uptake capacity to accommodate product volumetric contraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes flexible panel portions that can bend and deform to accommodate pressure changes. The nested flexible panels provide multiple degrees of freedom for deformation, enabling sufficient vacuum uptake capacity within size constraints imposed by aesthetic requirements.
3Quantity of substance
If a single large vacuum panel is used to achieve sufficient vacuum uptake, then the volumetric contraction capacity is adequate, but the container loses structural integrity and grippability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the vacuum panel into separate inner and outer flexible panel portions, each capable of independent flexing. This segmentation distributes the mechanical stress of vacuum uptake across multiple discrete elements rather than concentrating it in a single large panel, thereby maintaining structural integrity while achieving adequate vacuum uptake capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested configuration of inner and outer panels creates a reinforced structure where the panels work together to resist deformation. This nested arrangement provides mutual support, enhancing structural integrity while enabling sufficient vacuum uptake capacity through the combined flexing action of both panels.
4Ease of operation
If the vacuum panel area is reduced to maintain grippability, then consumer handling is improved, but the vacuum uptake capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The nested dual-panel structure concentrates the vacuum uptake mechanism within the container wall structure, leaving the external surface area available for consumer gripping unchanged. The inner and outer panels flex internally to provide sufficient vacuum uptake capacity without reducing the external dimensions that consumers need for handling.
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing the third dimension (nesting one panel within another), the invention increases vacuum uptake capacity without increasing the external surface area. This allows the container to maintain its external dimensions for good grippability while the internal nested structure provides adequate vacuum uptake capacity.
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 configuration enhances vacuum uptake efficiency, enabling the container to accommodate significant volumetric changes while maintaining structural integrity and grippability, thereby overcoming the limitations of conventional designs.
Implementation Method 1
The outer flexible panel portion is constructed and arranged to assume a more concave shape when a sufficient underpressure exists in the internal space. The inner flexible panel portion is constructed and arranged to flex relative to the outer flexible panel portion in order to accommodate internal pressure changes within the container body.
Data Source
AI summary
A plastic container that is adapted for adjustment to internal volumetric changes such as those that occur as a result of internal pressure and temperature changes during the hot-fill process includes a container body defining an internal space. The container body has at least one flexible panel defined therein, which includes an outer flexible panel portion and an inner flexible panel portion. The outer flexible panel portion has a shape when a pressure equilibrium exists between the internal space and ambient external pressure, and is further constructed and arranged to assume a shape of increased concavity when a sufficient underpressure exists in the internal space. The inner flexible panel portion is constructed and arranged to flex relative to the outer flexible panel portion in order to accommodate internal pressure changes within the container body. The inner and outer flexible panel portions accordingly work in tandem to permit efficient vacuum uptake in a hot-fill type container. In addition, a boundary between the outer and inner flexible panel portions is preferably entirely curved.