Flexible Concave Shoulder for Hot-Fill Bottle Vacuum Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for alternative geometries in hot-filled blow-molded bottles that can accommodate post-capping partial vacuum while resisting ovalization and maintaining a uniform appearance, as existing designs with axially rotationally symmetric shoulders may contribute to poor top load capabilities and uneven deformation.
Innovation Solution
A blow-molded bottle design featuring a flexible concave perimeter surface in the shoulder portion with a circumferentially continuous outwardly extending surface, an outwardly protruding ring, and a concave surface that forms linear segments to compensate for the partial vacuum, along with vacuum-responsive features in the side wall and base to maintain uniformity and prevent ovalization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If axially rotationally symmetric concave perimeter surface is used in the shoulder, then the bottle is convenient for grasping, but the top load capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The concave perimeter surface is segmented into multiple concave portions around the circumference, creating discrete vacuum compensation zones that maintain structural integrity while providing grasping convenience
Solution Approach 2:
The concave surface is localized to specific portions of the shoulder rather than being continuous, allowing different regions to serve different functions - some areas for vacuum compensation and others for maintaining structural strength
2Reliability
If conventional vacuum compensation features are added to the bottle, then post-capping partial vacuum is compensated, but the bottle geometry becomes non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The concave portions are strategically positioned asymmetrically around the shoulder to compensate for vacuum forces while maintaining an overall uniform appearance from the customer's perspective
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum compensation features are implemented in the radial dimension of the shoulder rather than affecting the vertical or longitudinal geometry, allowing vacuum compensation without compromising the uniform external appearance
3Adaptability or versatility
If the bottle is designed with hot-fill capability, then the bottle can accommodate hot-filled beverages, but post-capping partial vacuum develops upon cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The concave perimeter surface is pre-formed in the mold to anticipate and compensate for the vacuum that will develop during cooling, allowing the bottle to maintain its shape as the contents cool and contract
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the bottle wall in the concave regions changes from rigid to flexible under vacuum conditions, allowing controlled deformation that compensates for the partial vacuum without compromising structural integrity
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 design effectively compensates for post-capping partial vacuum by forming linear segments and indented portions, ensuring the bottle maintains a uniform appearance and resists ovalization, thus addressing the need for a hot-filled bottle with a consistent geometry and improved top load capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible concave perimeter surface of the shoulder is specially dimensioned to respond to the presence of a vacuum within the bottle by forming linear segments between the upper peripheral margin and the outwardly protruding ring
Implementation Method 2
A flexible concave perimeter surface joins the upper peripheral margin of the shoulder to an outwardly protruding ring
Data Source
AI summary
A blow-molded bottle has a flexible concave perimeter surface extending between an upper peripheral margin projecting outward from the bottle neck and an outwardly protruding ring located above the sidewall upper margin. The flexible concave perimeter surface is specially dimensioned to respond to the presence of a vacuum within the bottle by forming linear segments between the upper peripheral margin and the outwardly protruding ring. The average radius of the vertical mid-point of the concave perimeter surface is generally greater than (3/π) (sin π/3) (R1+R2), and less than (6/π) (sin π/6) (R1+R2), where R1 is the outermost radius of the upper peripheral margin, and R2 is the radius of the outwardly protruding ring. The vertical midpoint radius of the flexible concave perimeter surface measured from the vertical axis can be made to vary by between one and five percent at between three and five positions around the perimeter.