Faceted Blow Molded Container Top-Load Buckling Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

Blow molded containers face challenges in achieving sufficient top-load buckling strength to withstand stacking pressures during storage, which affects their structural stability and can lead to buckling, leakage, and an unattractive appearance, posing a trade-off between handling efficiency, desired shape, and cost.

Innovation Solution

A container design featuring a thermoplastic substrate with a faceted region comprising a plurality of facets arranged edge to edge, where the facets are predominantly located near the closed end, providing enhanced top-load buckling strength while maintaining visual appeal through reflective surfaces, and an outer skin layer for increased reflectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If thicker walled containers are used to improve top-load buckling strength, then structural stability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetop-load buckling strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating the faceted structure specifically in the lower portion of the container where buckling stress is highest during stacking. The facets are arranged to provide localized structural reinforcement rather than uniformly thickening the entire container wall, thereby improving buckling strength while minimizing material usage and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If container shapes with high top-load buckling strength are used, then structural stability is improved, but visual appeal and consumer interest deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetop-load buckling strengthVSAvoidvisual appeal

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The faceted design is applied locally to the lower portion of the container where structural reinforcement is needed, while the upper portion maintains a smooth, attractive surface for consumer appeal. This localized application allows the container to achieve high buckling strength without compromising overall visual appeal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The faceted surfaces create optical effects through light reflection and refraction, producing visual interest and aesthetic appeal. The geometric patterns formed by the facets enhance the container's appearance while simultaneously providing the structural reinforcement needed for high buckling strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Productivity

If containers are stacked high to improve handling efficiency, then productivity is improved, but structural stability deteriorates due to buckling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling efficiencyVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The container is pre-designed with a faceted structure in the lower portion that proactively provides the buckling resistance needed to withstand stacking loads. This preliminary structural preparation allows the container to be safely stacked high without risk of buckling, thereby enabling improved handling efficiency and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3152118B2Faceted container

Publication Date: 2022.02.16 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

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AI summary

A container having a faceted region, the container being substantially free from facets above a location along the longitudinal axis at which the aspect ratio is between about 1 and about 1.1.