Elastomeric Bottle Sleeve Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bottles often slip and break during handling, leading to spillage, contamination, and mess, with existing protective solutions not adequately addressing the need for a simple, reusable, and effective impact absorption mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A protective device featuring an elastomeric sleeve made from materials like rubber or polyurethane, which elastically grips the bottle, provides shock absorption, and has apertures to maintain visibility of labels and contents, designed to be slid over the bottle and engage its sides and bottom for impact protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective covering is provided for the bottle, then the bottle is protected from impact damage, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device is divided into two main segments: an elastomeric sleeve that provides shock absorption and grip, and an optional cap covering portion that protects the bottle opening. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while keeping the overall device relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an elastomeric sleeve as the core protective element. This flexible shell conforms to the bottle shape, provides impact absorption through material elasticity, and maintains a relatively simple single-piece structure compared to rigid protective containers.
2Reliability
If the protective device covers the entire bottle, then maximum protection is achieved, but the ability to see labels and contents is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device applies different levels of coverage to different parts of the bottle. The elastomeric sleeve may extend to cover the body and bottom where impact damage is most likely, while the cap covering portion is optional and can be designed to expose label areas. This local differentiation maintains protection where needed while preserving visibility where important.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than requiring complete full-coverage protection, the device provides partial coverage focused on the most vulnerable areas (body and bottom). The elastomeric sleeve can be designed to cover only the lower portion or extend partially up the bottle, providing sufficient protection against dropped items while leaving upper label areas visible.
3Strength
If a rigid protective container is used, then impact protection is enhanced, but the device becomes more difficult to operate and install
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric sleeve is made from flexible materials such as rubber, polyurethane, or thermoplastic elastomers. This flexibility allows the sleeve to be easily stretched over the bottle during installation and to conform to the bottle shape, eliminating the need for complex assembly procedures required by rigid containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective device transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible system. The elastomeric material can deform during installation to accommodate the bottle, then maintains its protective function through elastic recovery. This dynamic behavior simplifies installation while maintaining protection effectiveness.
4Reliability
If the protective material is highly elastic, then shock absorption is improved, but the material may deform permanently under repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies elastomeric materials with particular properties including resistance to permanent deformation. These may be composite materials or specially formulated polymers that combine high elasticity for shock absorption with structural stability to maintain their protective function through repeated use and cleaning cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The selection of elastomeric material involves optimizing specific parameters such as durometer hardness, elongation at break, and recovery characteristics. By carefully selecting materials within specific parameter ranges, the device achieves sufficient elasticity for shock absorption while maintaining dimensional stability under repeated loading and unloading cycles.
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 elastomeric sleeve effectively absorbs impact, preventing bottle damage during transport, storage, and use, while allowing visibility of labels and contents, and is reusable to reduce waste and mess.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric sleeve type member for receiving at least a first predetermined portion of such bottle
Implementation Method 2
The elastomeric sleeve effectively absorbs impact, preventing bottle damage during transport, storage, and use
Data Source
AI summary
A protective device for at least partially encasing a bottle includes an elastomeric sleeve type member for receiving at least a first predetermined portion of such bottle, such sleeve type member having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape.