One-Piece Plastic Container Integrated Pour Spout Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plastic containers with angled spouts are typically two-piece designs, which increase material and manufacturing costs, whereas a one-piece design with integrated pourable spout functionality is desired for improved functionality and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece plastic container design featuring a spout with a terminal lip and longitudinal slot, integrated with a finish and trough that defines non-orthogonal angles to facilitate pouring, allowing for a seamless integration of the spout into the container body without additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a two-piece design with separate spout is used, then pouring functionality is improved, but material and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spout and container body into a single integrated component. The spout is formed as an integral part of the container during the same manufacturing process, eliminating the need for separate spout components and assembly operations. This reduces material costs, manufacturing complexity, and assembly steps while maintaining the pouring functionality provided by the spout's angled configuration and internal passage geometry.
2Ease of manufacture
If a one-piece design with integrated spout is used, then material and manufacturing costs are reduced, but pouring functionality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by giving specific geometric features to the integrated spout region. The spout includes a non-orthogonal angle relative to the container axis, an internal passage with specific geometry, and a terminal opening positioned to optimize pouring. These localized geometric modifications enable the integrated spout to achieve pouring functionality comparable to separate spout designs while maintaining the cost benefits of a one-piece construction.
3Productivity
If traditional injection-stretch blow molding is used, then container body is formed efficiently, but spout integration requires additional processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates the spout features into the preform design before the blow molding process. The preform includes the spout geometry, passage, and terminal opening configured at the appropriate angles and positions. During injection molding of the preform, these features are formed simultaneously with the container body, eliminating the need for post-molding spout integration operations and maintaining high production efficiency.
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 one-piece design reduces material and manufacturing costs while maintaining improved pouring functionality, enabling efficient production and use of the container for various commodities.
Implementation Method 1
Mechanical processing involves orienting the amorphous material to achieve strain hardening. This processing commonly involves stretching an injection molded PET preform along a longitudinal axis and expanding the PET preform along a transverse or radial axis to form a PET container.
Implementation Method 2
The combination promotes what manufacturers define as biaxial orientation of the molecular structure in the container.
Implementation Method 3
The trough slopes toward the passage and defines a non-orthogonal angle relative to the longitudinal axis
Data Source
AI summary
A one-piece plastic container includes a body defining a longitudinal axis and having an upper portion, a sidewall portion and a base portion. The upper portion has a spout defining an opening into the container and a finish offset radially outwardly from the spout. A trough defines a passage into the body. The trough slopes toward the passage and defines a non-orthogonal angle relative to the longitudinal axis. According to other features, the sidewall portion is integrally formed with and extends from the upper portion to the base portion. The base portion closes off an end of the container. The finish defines at least one thread, for attaching a closure thereon.