Multi-Walled Container Air Inlet via Layer Delamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for producing air inlets in multi-walled containers, particularly in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry, are costly and prone to issues like pressure reduction leading to collapse of the rigid outer casing, require complex assembly, and risk weakening the flexible inner layer during drilling, resulting in aesthetic and functional issues.
Innovation Solution
A method involving blow-molding coextrusion to create a protrusion in the mold, followed by shearing, cutting, and mechanical delamination to form an air inlet between the flexible and rigid layers, ensuring easy delamination and preventing fusion, using agents like erucamide and silicone to improve separation, and optimizing the mold design for efficient delamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If drilling or boring is used to create an air inlet hole in the rigid outer casing, then the air inlet is created, but there is a risk of piercing and/or weakening the flexible inner layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the air inlet creation process into distinct stages: first creating the hole in the rigid outer casing, then subsequently creating the air inlet channel through the flexible inner layer using a controlled expansion process. This segmentation prevents direct piercing of the flexible layer by drilling tools, thereby maintaining its integrity while still achieving air inlet functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by first creating the hole in the rigid outer casing before attempting to access the flexible inner layer. The hole is initially created without piercing the flexible layer, and then a controlled expansion or insertion process is used to create the air inlet channel, preventing direct damage to the flexible inner layer.
2Ease of operation
If the layers are made to delaminate easily, then delamination is simplified, but the pocket volume varies and air hole zones change capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific delamination zone with controlled characteristics. The delamination is facilitated in a localized area (the air inlet zone) while maintaining volume consistency in the main pocket body. This is achieved by controlling the separation interface to occur in a predetermined region that does not significantly affect the overall pocket volume or capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a mold or template to guide the delamination process, ensuring that the air inlet channel is created with consistent dimensions and volume characteristics. The mold replicates the desired air inlet geometry, maintaining manufacturing precision while facilitating easy delamination through the predefined separation path.
3Strength
If an interface piece is added between the withdrawal member and the pocket, then assembly rigidity and sealing are improved, but the number of pieces and assembly cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the interface piece functionality directly into the container structure during the blow-molding process. The air inlet channel and sealing structure are integrated into the molded container body, eliminating the need for separate interface pieces while maintaining the required rigidity and sealing performance. This reduces the total number of components and simplifies assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional integrated structure that performs multiple functions: providing structural rigidity, creating the air inlet channel, and ensuring sealing between the withdrawal member and pocket. This universal structure replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate components, reducing device complexity while maintaining performance.
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
This method reduces costs, prevents collapse of the rigid casing, ensures effective sealing, and maintains the aesthetic and functional integrity of the container by facilitating easy delamination and air inlet creation without compromising the flexible layer.
Implementation Method 1
making in the mold in at least one pinch zone of the parison a reservation intended to obtain a protrusion of said parison
Implementation Method 2
a first shearing operation at the sprue formed during the blow-molding coextrusion operation and having the unfortunate effect of fusing together by crushing in this zone, on the one hand, the two walls consisting of the inner layer of the parison and, on the other hand, the two walls consisting of the outer layer of the same parison
Implementation Method 3
a second operation of cutting off the protrusion by means of a cutting tool
Implementation Method 4
a third operation, subsequent to or simultaneous with the second, consisting of initiating the delamination of the layers from one another by means of a mechanical means used to exert an axial force on the protrusion in a zone close to the latter
Implementation Method 5
using agents like erucamide and silicone to improve separation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for carrying out ventilation in a multi-walled container of the type comprising a rigid external housing, inside which a flexible inner pocket for containing a product is arranged and connected to a withdrawal device without ventilation, the layers having no adhesion between the same such as to be able to be separated without difficulty and with air ventilation between the same, characterized in being obtained by means of molding a projection at the upper or lower part of the pre-form which is subjected to a first operation of cutting a sprue, then a second operation of cutting the projection in a region close to the base and/or the neck of the recipient for production and a third operation of separating the layers.