Flexible Container With Welded Reservoir And Insulated Bottom

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible container devices for liquids, such as those used for hydration during outdoor activities, often fail to maintain temperature stability under extreme conditions and lack adjustable insulation options, leading to unwanted freezing or heating of contents.

Innovation Solution

A flexible container device with a rigid container top and bottom, and a flexible reservoir panel that can be sealed using a welding anvil, allowing for the attachment of a handle and adjustable insulation, enabling temperature control and insulation flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the reservoir panel is sealed using heat welding, then the sealing strength is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to the need for welding anvils and precise seam alignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates welding anvils directly into the molded container structure during initial manufacturing. This preliminary integration means the welding tools are pre-positioned and built-in, eliminating the need for separate welding equipment assembly and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining strong heat-welded seals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Temperature

If thermal insulation is added to maintain liquid temperature, then temperature stability is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies thermal insulation selectively only to the container bottom where it is most needed for temperature maintenance, rather than insulating the entire container. This localized approach provides effective temperature stability while minimizing additional weight and complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The container utilizes composite construction with rigid plastic molded parts integrated with flexible reservoir panels. This composite structure inherently provides thermal properties while maintaining structural integrity, avoiding the need for separate insulation layers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If the container is made entirely rigid for structural strength, then strength is improved, but the volume efficiency and flexibility worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidvolume efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges rigid molded container tops and bottoms with flexible reservoir panels to create a hybrid structure. The rigid parts provide necessary structural strength and attachment points, while the flexible panels conform to the container shape, maximizing volume efficiency and reducing material usage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 device effectively maintains the temperature of liquid contents, providing thermal insulation when needed and allowing for temperature adjustment, while being easy to use and transport with a removable handle.

Implementation Method 1

the third seam seals a seam gap between a terminal bottom edge of the first seam and a terminal top edge of the second seam, and wherein the seam gap is configured to receive a welding anvil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat welding: Welding

Implementation Method 2

a rigid container top, a rigid container bottom and a flexible reservoir panel... A reservoir system that can maintain the thermally insulate and maintain the temperature of the liquid contents of the reservoir

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

a flexible reservoir panel... The reservoir panel can form a flexible cylinder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3456219B1Flexible container
Publication Date: 2022.12.28 HYDRAPAK LLC
  • EP3456219B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP3456219B1 patent drawingFigure 1d~1f
  • EP3456219B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A container for holding and delivering liquids is disclosed. A method of making the same is disclosed. The container can have a molded container top, a molded container bottom, a flexible film reservoir, and a handle extending from the container top to the container bottom.