Embossed Outer Sleeve for Stackable Insulated Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulated containers for hot liquids often become wedged or stuck together when stacked, due to interference fits, which complicates retrieval and can lead to leakage and reduced volumetric capacity, especially when insulation is added.
Innovation Solution
A multi-walled container design featuring a paperboard receptacle with an insulating layer and an outer sleeve having an embossment that engages the upper lip of another container, creating a gap and preventing interference fits, allowing for full nesting without sticking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If insulation is added to the outer surface of the container sidewall, then thermal insulation effectiveness is improved, but the container becomes more complex and volumetric capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the insulating layer between the receptacle sidewall and the outer sleeve, creating a compact multi-layer structure. The outer sleeve is disposed around the insulating layer, which is attached to the receptacle sidewall, forming a nested arrangement that provides insulation without adding excessive complexity or reducing volumetric capacity
2Ease of operation
If the bottom wall is raised to prevent containers from sticking together, then containers can be separated easily, but the container construction becomes more complex and leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - the outer sleeve with an embossment - that acts as a mediator between stacked containers. The embossment on the outer sleeve of one container engages with the upper lip of another container, preventing direct contact between receptacles and eliminating the need to raise the bottom wall, thus avoiding increased complexity and leakage risk
3Volume of stationary object
If containers are fully nested without gap, then volumetric capacity is maximized, but containers become wedged together in interference fit and cannot be separated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by creating a small gap between the outer sleeve of one container and the receptacle sidewall of another container when stacked. This gap is sufficient to prevent interference fit and allow easy separation, while minimizing the loss of volumetric capacity. The embossment engagement provides just enough separation to prevent sticking without excessive spacing
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 embossed outer sleeve ensures that containers can be easily separated without vacuum issues, preventing wedging and leakage, while maintaining insulation effectiveness and volumetric capacity.
Implementation Method 1
The gap between two nested containers can permit the void space defined between the bottom walls of the inner and outer containers to be in fluid communication with the atmosphere so as not to create a vacuum in the void space
Implementation Method 2
The insulating layer can be defined or provided between the receptacle sidewall and the outer sleeve. In one embodiment, the insulating layer is constructed of a foamed material
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-walled container comprising a receptacle and outer sleeve having an embossment formed therein is provided. An insulating layer may be defined or provided between the receptacle and outer sleeve. The outer sleeve has an embossment provided at least partially therearound for engaging the upper lip of a second container when multiple containers are nested or stacked one within another. The embossment may be a continuous circumferential rib formed around substantially the entire perimeter of the sleeve or may be a plurality of ribs formed intermittently around the perimeter of the sleeve. In order for the embossment to contact or engage the upper lip of another container, the embossment preferably has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of an opening defined by the receptacle upper lip. The outer sleeve can be fixedly attached to the insulating layer or receptacle at locations both above and below the embossment.