Fracturable Container With Guided Fracture Conductors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current containers that fracture along a break path face limitations such as restricted break path lengths, inconsistent fracturing, and aesthetic issues due to jagged cracks, which can lead to safety concerns and perceptions of over-packaging.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a fracturable portion with strategically placed fracture conductors that guide the fracture along a defined break path, ensuring consistent and aesthetically pleasing opening, even along complex shapes and longer distances, using localized changes in rigidity and depth to facilitate controlled fracturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the break path length is increased to allow longer fracture paths, then the container can open more completely, but the fracture becomes inconsistent and forms cracks or serrated edges
Solution Approach 1:
The break path is segmented into multiple straight sections connected by curved transitions. Each section is designed with specific geometric parameters to control fracture propagation. The straight sections promote consistent linear fractures while the curved sections guide the fracture through controlled transitions, preventing uncontrolled cracking and serrated edges even over long distances.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the break path have different geometric qualities optimized for their specific function. Straight sections have uniform thickness and geometry for consistent linear fracturing, while curved sections have modified geometry to guide fracture propagation through transitions. This local optimization of geometry at different locations enables long break paths to maintain fracture consistency throughout.
2Strength
If the container material is made less brittle to improve safety and reduce shattering, then the container becomes more durable, but it cannot fracture cleanly along the break path
Solution Approach 1:
The geometry parameters of the break path (curvature radius, section length, thickness variations) are precisely controlled to match the mechanical properties of less brittle materials. By optimizing these geometric parameters, the design enables clean fracturing of tougher materials that resist shattering while maintaining consistent fracture paths. The geometry acts as a stress guide that directs energy along the desired path even in ductile materials.
3Reliability
If geometric fracture features are added to enable clean fracturing, then the barrier performance improves, but the container design becomes more complex and limited in shape variations
Solution Approach 1:
The break path geometry serves multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains barrier performance through continuous walls, enables clean fracturing through optimized geometry, and allows shape variations through parametric design. The same geometric principles can be applied to containers of different sizes, shapes, and material compositions, making the design universally applicable across product lines without sacrificing reliability or increasing complexity.
4Ease of operation
If the bend depth is increased to concentrate stress and facilitate fracturing, then the fracture initiates more easily, but the container wall becomes weaker and more prone to unwanted opening
Solution Approach 1:
The break path geometry is pre-designed with optimized bend depths and curvature radii that concentrate stress at specific locations during opening. This preliminary geometric configuration ensures that when opening force is applied, stress naturally concentrates at the intended fracture initiation points rather than randomly throughout the wall. The pre-planned geometry guides the fracturing process while maintaining overall wall strength through proper distribution of bend depths along the path.
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 container can be easily opened with consistent fractures along desired paths, enhancing safety and visual appeal while maintaining robustness and barrier performance, allowing for varied product shapes and sizes.
Implementation Method 1
The body of the container is configured to concentrate stress along the break path by increasing the distance (y) between a neutral axis and the base surface of the bend and decreasing the second moment of area (I x ) at the break path
Implementation Method 2
the fracturable portion includes a plurality of fracture conductors spaced apart from one another along the break path, each fracture conductor being defined by a localised change in rigidity of the fracturable portion such that the fracture conductors aid in guiding propagation of the fracture along the break path
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1D
Figure 2A
AI summary
A container (10) includes a body (11) having a cavity (23) for containing one or more contents. The container (10) includes a flange (20) arranged about a perimeter of the body (11). A cover (24) is affixed to the flange (20) for enclosing the contents within the cavity (23). A fracturable portion (30) including a bend (31) extends across the body (11) from a first flange portion (21) to a second flange portion (22). The fracturable portion (30) bisects the body (11) into a first body portion (12) on one side of the bend (31) and a second body portion (13) on the other side of the bend (31). The fracturable portion (30) defines a break path (35) along which the body (11) is adapted to fracture when a user applies a force exceeding a predetermined level to each of the first and second body portions (12, 13) on either side of the bend (31). The break path (35) has an initiating fracture point and a pair of termini (33), with one said terminus (33) at each of the first and second flange portions (21, 22), such that the body (11) is adapted to fracture from the fracture point in opposing directions along the break path (35) towards each terminus (33). The fracturable portion (30) has a plurality of fracture conductors (40) spaced apart from one another along the break path (35). Each fracture conductor (40) is defined by a localised change in rigidity of the fracturable portion (30) such that the fracture conductors (40) aid in guiding propagation of the fracture along the break path (35).