Hot-Fillable Container Moveable Panel Pressure Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Plastic containers face issues with unwanted permanent deformations and distortions due to internal pressures during hot-filling and cooling, which existing technologies fail to address effectively without causing bulging, popping out, or irreversible deformation.

Innovation Solution

The design of plastic containers with moveable panels featuring recessed grooves that flex outward in response to internal pressures and inward in response to vacuum, preventing permanent deformation and accommodating pressure changes without bulging or inversion, using a configuration of recessed moveable portions that break the surface plane of the sidewall.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the container sidewall is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but the container cannot accommodate internal pressure changes during hot-filling and cooling, leading to permanent deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidpressure accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the sidewall panel movable rather than fixed. The panel is configured to move between a retracted position (when pressed inward by vacuum) and an extended position (when pressed outward by internal pressure), allowing the container to dynamically adapt to pressure changes during hot-filling and cooling processes while maintaining structural integrity through controlled movement within defined limits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the moveable panel is allowed to flex outward to accommodate internal pressure, then pressure accommodation is improved, but the panel may undergo unwanted permanent deformation or distortion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure accommodationVSAvoidpanel deformation control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a recessed portion in the sidewall panel with specific geometric features (first recess running in first direction, second recess running in second direction perpendicular to the first direction). These localized structural modifications create controlled movement paths that guide the panel's flexing behavior, allowing pressure accommodation while preventing unwanted permanent deformation through defined movement boundaries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the recessed portion geometry during container manufacturing. The recesses are formed in advance with specific dimensions and orientations to predeterminedly guide the panel's movement behavior when subjected to pressure changes, ensuring the panel flexes in controlled manner without undergoing unwanted deformation during actual use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stress or pressure

If the moveable panel moves outward to break the surface plane during hot-filling, then pressure relief is improved, but the container appearance and structural uniformity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinternal pressure reliefVSAvoidcontainer uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by designing the panel to move between retracted and extended positions based on internal pressure conditions. During hot-filling, the panel dynamically extends to relieve pressure by breaking the surface plane, then dynamically returns to retracted position upon cooling, maintaining structural uniformity and appearance when not under pressure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution allows for controlled movement of panels to resist unwanted distortions, reduce internal vacuum, and maintain structural integrity, preventing irreversible deformation and ensuring the container remains bulge-resistant and capable of handling temperature-induced pressure changes.

Implementation Method 1

the recessed moveable portion is configured and operative to move from a first, as-formed position outwardly to a second position, and to move inwardly to a second position after movement thereof to the second position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8991441B2Hot-fillable container with moveable panel and systems and methods thereof

Publication Date: 2015.03.31 GRAHAM PACKAGING CO LP

AI summary

A plastic, hot-fillable container which has one or more moveable portions each comprised of intersecting perpendicular recesses. Each of the one or more moveable portions is constructed to move outwardly temporarily without permanently deforming responsive to hot-filling the container with a product. The one or more moveable portions also can be constructed to move inwardly to reduce a portion of an internal vacuum within the filled and capped container.