Hot-fill Container Compression Ribs Vacuum Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hot-fill PET containers face limitations in maintaining shape and providing contoured hand grips while absorbing internal vacuum forces during cooling, due to the need for traditional vacuum panels and support grooves which restrict design flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A one-piece plastic hot-fill container with vertically and horizontally disposed compression ribs that change shape in response to cooling, allowing the container walls to absorb vacuum forces while maintaining structural integrity and enabling contoured hand grip areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional vacuum panels and support grooves are used to maintain container shape, then the container can withstand internal vacuum forces, but the design flexibility for contoured hand grips is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign flexibility for contoured hand gripsVSAvoidstructural complexity of vacuum panels and support grooves

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The compression ribs serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as vacuum absorption structures, provide structural support to withstand internal vacuum forces, and create contoured hand grip areas. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate vacuum panels and support grooves, thereby increasing design flexibility while reducing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functions of vacuum absorption, structural support, and hand grip contouring into a single integrated feature set (compression ribs). By combining these previously separate structural elements, the design achieves greater flexibility in creating contoured hand grips while maintaining the ability to withstand internal vacuum forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If the container wall is made rigid to maintain shape, then the container can withstand internal vacuum forces, but the ability to absorb vacuum forces through controlled movement is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer strength to withstand vacuum forcesVSAvoidability to absorb vacuum forces through controlled movement

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The compression ribs are designed to be dynamically responsive to internal vacuum forces. They can compress inwardly to absorb vacuum forces and then recover to maintain structural integrity. This dynamic behavior allows the container wall to both absorb vacuum forces and maintain shape, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The compression ribs change their physical parameters (shape, volume, position) in response to internal vacuum forces. They compress inwardly when vacuum forces increase and recover when pressures equalize. This parameter change capability allows the container to absorb vacuum forces while maintaining overall structural strength and shape.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If vertical columns and circumferential grooves are added to provide strength, then the container can withstand container distortion, but the overall shape maintenance is compromised due to inward contraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer strength to withstand distortionVSAvoidoverall container shape maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The compression ribs are strategically positioned at specific locations on the container wall where they provide localized reinforcement. This local quality approach allows the container to withstand distortion at critical points while maintaining overall shape, as the ribs provide targeted support rather than uniform reinforcement that would restrict shape maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively manages internal vacuum forces, reducing deformation and ovalization risks, enhancing top-load strength, and allowing for a more ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing design with improved grip functionality.

Implementation Method 1

the container walls contract as vacuum forces increase during hot-fill product cooling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal contraction: Thermal Contraction

Implementation Method 2

a negative internal pressure or vacuum builds within the sealed container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum pressure: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentUS8328033B2Hot-fill container

Publication Date: 2012.12.11 AMCOR RIGID PACKAGING USA LLC

AI summary

A one-piece plastic hot-fill container may employ a shoulder portion, a base portion and a sidewall portion, which may be integrally formed with and extend from the shoulder portion to the base portion. The container may further have a plurality of compression ribs molded into the sidewall portion in vertical and horizontal directions—at least the vertical compression ribs being operable to change from a first shape to a second shape in response to cooling of the liquid and further extending inwardly within the container.