Hot-fill Container Base With Triangular Features
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plastic hot-fill containers face challenges in achieving an optimal balance between weight and vacuum performance, as traditional designs either require heavy sidewalls to withstand vacuum forces or compromise on structural integrity, while existing technologies like POWERFLEX necessitate dramatic snap-through movements, leading to weight and design inflexibility.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, flexible base design that accommodates vacuum forces without dramatic inversion, combined with equilateral triangular features on the base to distribute and absorb vacuum pressures, allowing both the base and sidewall to absorb significant percentages of vacuum, thereby achieving lightweighting and design flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional heavy sidewalls are used to withstand vacuum forces, then vacuum resistance is improved, but container weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container base is segmented into multiple equilateral triangular features distributed across the base surface. Each triangular feature acts as an independent vacuum-absorbing element, collectively providing substantial vacuum resistance without requiring heavy sidewalls. The segmentation allows the base to handle vacuum forces while keeping the sidewalls lightweight.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum resistance function is moved from the vertical dimension (sidewall thickness) to the horizontal dimension (base surface area). By distributing triangular features across the base, the container achieves vacuum resistance through horizontal expansion rather than vertical thickening, reducing overall weight.
2Weight of moving object
If lightweight base design is used to reduce weight, then container weight is reduced, but vacuum performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base is designed with non-uniform local quality through the distribution of equilateral triangular features. Areas with triangular features have enhanced structural properties for vacuum absorption, while other areas remain lightweight. This localized reinforcement provides vacuum resistance only where needed, maintaining overall lightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The base combines material uniformity with structural heterogeneity. While the base material itself remains consistent, the integrated triangular features create a composite-like structure where specific geometric elements provide vacuum resistance functions, achieving high vacuum performance in a lightweight configuration.
3Strength
If dramatic snap-through movements are used to accommodate vacuum, then vacuum absorption is improved, but device complexity and design flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The base is designed with controlled dynamic response through the triangular feature geometry. Instead of dramatic snap-through movements, the triangular features provide progressive, controlled deformation that accommodates vacuum forces smoothly. This dynamic design reduces complexity while maintaining vacuum absorption capability.
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 solution enables the creation of a hot-fill container that maintains structural integrity while minimizing weight, absorbing a high percentage of vacuum forces without the need for heavy sidewalls or snap-through movements, thus optimizing both weight and vacuum performance.
Implementation Method 1
vacuum forces generated within the container
Implementation Method 2
configured to distribute and absorb vacuum pressures
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A plastic container including an upper portion, a base, a plurality of surface features, and a substantially cylindrical portion. The upper portion has a mouth defining an opening into the container. The base is movable to accommodate vacuum forces generated within the container thereby decreasing the volume of the container. The plurality of surface features are included with the base and are configured to accommodate vacuum forces. The substantially cylindrical portion extends between the upper portion and the base.