Flexible Plastic Container Forming Without Inserts

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for manufacturing flexible containers for cryogenic storage of biological substances are time-consuming, expensive, and prone to contamination, making them unsuitable for medical applications, especially when producing complex structures with multiple storage chambers and elements for fluid communication.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the simultaneous shaping of two plastic sheets without an intermediate insert, sealed at the periphery to form a three-dimensional container, which reduces contamination risk and allows for quicker, more economical production of containers with complex structures, including conduits for fluid communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If multiple stages including independent sheet forming and superimposition are used to manufacture flexible pockets, then the three-dimensional geometry can be achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes time-consuming and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethree-dimensional geometryVSAvoidmanufacturing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple manufacturing stages into a single integrated process. Two sheets are simultaneously formed and sealed together in one operation using a mold with cavities that define the three-dimensional geometry, eliminating the need for separate forming and superimposition steps while maintaining the required complex shape

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sheets are pre-positioned in direct contact with each other before the forming operation begins. The mold cavities are designed to simultaneously shape both sheets into their final three-dimensional configuration and seal them together, performing multiple actions in advance of the actual forming process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If multiple handling stages are used during manufacturing, then the sheets can be formed and assembled, but the risk of contamination of internal surfaces increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidcontamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The forming and sealing operations are merged into a single simultaneous process. The sheets remain in direct contact throughout, forming a closed internal space that is never exposed to the external environment, thereby eliminating contamination risks associated with multiple handling stages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The internal storage space is extracted and protected from contamination by forming the two sheets into direct contact and sealing them simultaneously. This creates a closed internal environment that is isolated from external contaminants throughout the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Shape

If an insert is placed between sheets during thermoforming, then the internal shape can be defined, but contamination risk remains and complex structures with multiple chambers are difficult to produce

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal geometryVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing an insert between sheets to define the internal shape, the patent inverts the approach by using the mold cavities themselves to directly form the three-dimensional geometry of both sheets simultaneously. The sheets conform to the mold cavity shapes, defining the internal storage spaces without requiring any inserts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The mold is designed with multiple cavities that can simultaneously form multiple containers or complex multi-chamber structures in a single operation. The same molding process handles both simple single-chamber containers and complex multi-chamber structures with fluid communication elements, providing universal manufacturing capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 method enables the simple, quick, and economical manufacture of flexible containers with reduced contamination risk, providing optimal capacity and resistance to cryopreservation stresses, while allowing for the production of complex structures with multiple storage chambers linked by fluid communication elements.

Implementation Method 1

said sheets are simultaneously shaped by suction pressure forming, or under relative vacuum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction pressure forming: Suction

Implementation Method 2

during this shaping, the sheets are heated and/or by heat distortion forming

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

said sheets being maintained lying one against the other in at least one section of the areas of said sheets intended to constitute said peripheral edge of each container during this shaping and c) sealing at least partially the areas of said sheets intended to constitute said peripheral edge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing: Welding

Data Source

PatentUS9757890B2Method for producing at least one flexible plastic container
Publication Date: 2017.09.12 TECHNOFLEX SA
  • US9757890B2 patent drawing
  • US9757890B2 patent drawing
  • US9757890B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of at least one flexible plastic container, according to which method each container (10) comprises two separate walls (12, 13) facing one another joined at their circumference by a sealed peripheral edge (14), said separate walls defining a storage space of the container (10). According to the invention, at least the following stages are realized:a) Forming a pile of two sheets (26, 27) of plastic material, said sheets (26, 27) being laid one against the other, the surfaces which face one another of these sheets (26, 27) being placed directly in contact with one another without any element acting as an interface,b) Simultaneously shaping said sheets (26, 27) thus laid one against the other in order to define said at least one container (10) without having previously separated these sheets, at least each container (10) being partially formed, said sheets (26, 27) being maintained lying one against the other in at least one section of the areas of said sheets (26, 27) intended to constitute said peripheral edge (14) of each container (10) during this shaping andc) Sealing at least partially the areas of said sheets (26, 27) intended to constitute said peripheral edge (14) of at least each container (10).