Hot Fill Container Base Stability via Radial Waves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Blow molded plastic containers used in hot fill and pasteurization processes face challenges in maintaining stability under pressurization and temperature changes, particularly due to excessive deformation of the base and sidewalls, which compromises their structural integrity and stability.

Innovation Solution

A blow molded plastic container design featuring a substantially round main body with a champagne-type base having a circular standing ring and radially oriented waves on the push-up portion, which provides enhanced stability and resistance to deformation under pressure and temperature variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the container uses a modified champagne style base with a central push-up region, then the container can be supported stably on flat surfaces, but the push-up region deforms under pressure causing material to roll or deflect outwardly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebase stabilityVSAvoidresistance to deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The base is divided into distinct functional zones: a substantially flat generally annular support region for stability, and a pushed-up central region with radially oriented waves for structural reinforcement. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base transitions from a two-dimensional flat surface to a three-dimensional structure with radial waves extending upward from the support region. This dimensional change creates additional structural rigidity in the pushed-up central region while maintaining the flat stable support area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the container sidewalls are designed to accommodate volumetric shrinkage through vacuum panels, then the container can withstand hot fill and pasteurization processes, but excessive deformation occurs in non-circular containers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of volumetric changesVSAvoidsidewall deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The container is designed with a substantially round horizontal cross-section, creating radial symmetry that distributes thermal and pressure stresses uniformly around the circumference. This geometric symmetry prevents localized deformation in sidewalls during hot fill and pasteurization processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The sidewalls incorporate vacuum panels in specific regions designed to flex and accommodate volumetric shrinkage, while other regions maintain rigid structures for stability. This localized differentiation allows the container to adapt to pressure changes without excessive overall deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Weight of moving object

If the container is designed to be lightweight to reduce material costs, then the container uses less PET resin, but the container becomes more susceptible to deformation under pressurization and temperature changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer weightVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container employs a substantially round horizontal cross-section and radially oriented waves in the base, creating curved surfaces that naturally distribute and redirect thermal and pressure stresses. This geometric curvature provides structural strength equivalent to thicker walls without increasing material usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The radially oriented waves are pre-formed in the pushed-up central region during manufacturing, creating built-in structural reinforcement before the container undergoes hot fill or pasteurization. This preliminary structuring prevents deformation under subsequent thermal and pressure loads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 design effectively maintains stability and prevents excessive deformation during hot fill and pasteurization processes, ensuring the container remains secure and lightweight, addressing the limitations of existing PET containers.

Implementation Method 1

an annular, substantially straight and substantially vertical rise portion, and that includes a plurality of radially oriented waves, each of said waves extending radially outwardly from said central region to said vertical rise portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStructural geometry: Geometry

Data Source

PatentUS8662332B2Pasteurizable and hot-fillable plastic container

Publication Date: 2014.03.04 TALON LTD

AI summary

A blow molded plastic container for hot fill and pasteurization uses includes a main body portion that is shaped so as to be substantially round in horizontal cross-section and a base portion. The base portion is shaped to define a generally circular standing ring and an elevated push-up portion that is positioned radially inward of the standing ring. The push-up portion includes a central region, an annular, substantially straight and substantially vertical rise portion that is positioned immediately radially inward of the standing ring and a plurality of radially oriented waves. Each of the waves extends radially outwardly from the central region to the vertical rise portion and is preferably shaped so as to subtend a substantially constant angle along its length.