Invertible Pressure Panel for Hot-Fill Container Vacuum Compensation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hot-fill plastic containers face deformation issues due to vacuum forces created when liquid contents cool, as they lack adequate compensation mechanisms, often requiring additional reinforcing structures that affect design and appearance.

Innovation Solution

A polymeric container with an invertible pressure panel deeply set into the base, movable between outwardly-inclined and inwardly-inclined positions to accommodate vacuum forces, allowing the container to be supported by a standing ring regardless of the panel's position, and eliminating the need for external vacuum panels in the sidewall.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vacuum panels are added to the sidewall to compensate for vacuum forces, then container deformation is reduced, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer deformation resistanceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention moves the vacuum compensation mechanism from the traditional sidewall location to the base of the container. By placing the flexible base region at the bottom, the design utilizes the base's inherent flexibility to compensate for vacuum forces without adding complex sidewall structures. This dimensional relocation simplifies the overall container geometry while maintaining vacuum compensation functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the vacuum compensation function from the sidewall and relocates it to the base. By removing the need for vacuum panels from the sidewall and concentrating the flexible base region at the bottom, the design eliminates unnecessary structural elements and reduces overall complexity while maintaining the essential vacuum compensation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If additional reinforcing structures are added to resist vacuum forces, then container strength is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevacuum resistance strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by concentrating the flexible base region specifically at the bottom of the container where vacuum forces are most effectively compensated. This localized flexible region provides the necessary vacuum compensation without requiring widespread reinforcing structures throughout the entire container wall, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining strength where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a flexible base region is used to compensate for vacuum forces, then container deformation is reduced, but stability and appearance are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeformation compensationVSAvoidcontainer stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a dynamic flexible base region that can adapt its shape in response to vacuum forces. The flexible base region dynamically adjusts its configuration to compensate for vacuum pressure while maintaining the container's overall stability. This dynamic response allows the container to maintain both deformation compensation and stability without requiring additional reinforcing structures.

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 effectively reduces container deformation and maintains stability and appearance by internally managing vacuum pressures, enabling efficient handling and storage without additional stabilization devices.

Implementation Method 1

Once the liquid within the container cools, the volume of the contained liquid reduces, creating a vacuum within the container that pulls inwardly on the side and end walls of the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

Once the liquid within the container cools, the volume of the contained liquid reduces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal contraction: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentUS11565867B2Method of handling a plastic container having a moveable base

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 CO2 PAC

AI summary

A plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish defining an opening into the container, a lower portion including a base defining a standing surface, a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the sidewall defining a longitudinal axis, and at least one substantially transversely-oriented pressure panel located in the lower portion. The pressure panel is movable between an outwardly-inclined position and an inwardly-inclined position to compensate for a change of pressure inside the container. The standing surface defines a standing plane, and the entire pressure panel is located between the standing plane and the upper portion of the container when the pressure panel is in the outwardly-inclined position.