Hot Fill Container With Variable Wall Thickness

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional containers fail to withstand temperature variations during the discharge of hot liquids without bursting, due to inadequate design that allows for contraction and expansion without distortion.

Innovation Solution

A container with an elastic side wall comprising varying thickness zones and elastic pop panels that contract inward during hot filling and expand outward during cooling, maintaining the original shape and preventing distortion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the container uses a uniform thick wall design to prevent bursting during hot filling, then the container strength is improved, but the container cannot contract and expand without distortion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer strengthVSAvoidcontainer shape stability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The container employs variable wall thickness with thicker sections at the top and bottom portions and thinner sections at the middle portion. This local differentiation allows the thicker areas to provide structural strength during hot filling while the thinner middle area allows controlled contraction and expansion without distortion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The side wall is divided into multiple portions with different thickness characteristics - a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion. Each segment serves a specific function: the top and bottom segments provide structural support while the middle segment accommodates thermal contraction and expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the container uses a thin wall design to allow contraction and expansion, then the container adaptability is improved, but the container may burst during hot filling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer contraction and expansion capabilityVSAvoidcontainer strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The container employs variable wall thickness with thicker sections at the top and bottom portions and thinner sections at the middle portion. This local differentiation allows the thicker areas to provide structural strength during hot filling while the thinner middle area allows controlled contraction and expansion without distortion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The side wall is divided into multiple portions with different thickness characteristics - a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion. Each segment serves a specific function: the top and bottom segments provide structural support while the middle segment accommodates thermal contraction and expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Shape

If the container maintains a rigid structure to preserve shape, then the container shape stability is improved, but the container cannot withstand temperature variations without bursting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer shape stabilityVSAvoidcontainer reliability under temperature variations

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container employs variable wall thickness with thicker sections at the top and bottom portions and thinner sections at the middle portion. This local differentiation allows the thicker areas to provide structural strength during hot filling while the thinner middle area allows controlled contraction and expansion without distortion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The side wall is divided into multiple portions with different thickness characteristics - a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion. Each segment serves a specific function: the top and bottom segments provide structural support while the middle segment accommodates thermal contraction and expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 handles temperature changes by contracting and expanding without bursting, ensuring the shape remains unchanged and minimizing out-of-round distortion, allowing for safe hot filling and cooling without damage.

Implementation Method 1

the side wall of the container is varied in accordance with the present disclosure to allow for such contraction and expansion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the container is configured to be filled with a hot liquid or other fluid at a container-filling factory before the lid is mounted on the brim of the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 3

development of vacuum conditions in the interior product-storage region of the container caused by discharge of high temperature liquid or other fluid into the interior product-storage region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentUS10086970B2Package

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 BERRY PLASTICS CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a package including a floor and a side wall extending upwardly from the floor. The package is configured to receive a high-temperature fluid during a container-filling activity at a container-filling factory.