Paper Container Stopper Recessed Trough for Smooth Liquid Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paper containers with flat top-type stoppers face issues with smooth discharge of liquid matter, especially when containing solid or viscous substances, due to resistance at corner portions and air pocket formation, leading to residue and difficulty in tilting angles.

Innovation Solution

The paper container design features a stopper positioned adjacent to a first top corner portion with a recessed portion forming a trough-like structure, reducing resistance and enhancing flow velocity, and an inclined top surface to maintain communication between the stopper and air pocket even at larger tilting angles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the container main body is tilted to discharge liquid matter, then the liquid matter can be discharged through the stopper, but resistance at the body corner portion reduces flow velocity and causes smoothness insufficient discharge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge speedVSAvoiddischarge smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by replacing the sharp right angle at the body corner portion with a rounded corner design. This curved transition reduces resistance to liquid flow, eliminates stagnation points, and improves discharge smoothness while maintaining adequate discharge speed through the stopper.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Productivity

If the container main body is tilted to discharge liquid matter, then the liquid matter can be discharged, but solid matter accumulates in the body corner portion and is difficult to discharge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge speedVSAvoidcomplete discharge
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rounded corner design eliminates dead zones where solid matter could accumulate. The curved geometry ensures that solid particles are continuously guided toward the discharge path, preventing accumulation and ensuring complete discharge of solid-containing liquids.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameter of the corner portion from a sharp angle to a rounded shape, which fundamentally alters the flow dynamics and prevents solid matter accumulation while maintaining discharge efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the container main body is tilted to discharge liquid matter, then the liquid matter can be discharged, but viscous matter sticks to the inner surface and is difficult to discharge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge speedVSAvoiddischarge smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rounded corner design reduces surface area contact and eliminates sharp edges where viscous matter could adhere. The smooth curved geometry facilitates easier flow of viscous liquids and prevents sticking to the container inner surface during discharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Ease of operation

If the top includes an inclined surface to maintain communication with air pocket, then the stopper can be blocked by liquid matter at larger tilting angles, but this prevents pulsation and improves discharge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge smoothnessVSAvoidtop structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rounded corner design creates a more uniform flow pattern that reduces pulsation during discharge. The curved geometry ensures smoother liquid movement through the stopper, eliminating the need for complex top structures to control air pocket communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 design enables smooth discharge of liquid and viscous matter, reduces residue, and allows for easier tilting and handling by preventing pulsation and jamming, while maintaining a compact form.

Implementation Method 1

the first recessed portion is surrounded by two recessed-portion forming folding line portions extending from a starting point, which is located at the first top corner portion or at the position slightly away from the first top corner portion, branching from the starting point to the front panel and any one of the left side panel and the right side panel so as to extend toward the bottom direction, and joining together at the end point, which is located at the position within which the two recessed-portion forming folding line portions extend until after reaching the first bottom corner portion formed by the bottom side of the front panel and the bottom side of any one of the left side panel and the right side panel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow velocity enhancement through geometric design:

Implementation Method 2

when the liquid matter contained in the paper container is discharged, in general, the liquid matter is discharged through the stopper while the container main body is tilted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity-driven liquid flow: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

the first body corner portion, which is formed between the front panel and any one of the left side panel and the right side panel forming the first top corner portion, is arranged in a trough-like manner, thereby being capable of guiding the liquid matter in the container main body toward the stopper direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow guidance through geometric confinement:

Data Source

PatentEP3786077B1Paper container with stopper
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 NIPPON PAPER IND CO LTD
  • EP3786077B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3786077B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3786077B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a paper container with a stopper, which is capable of smoothly discharging a liquid matter from a container main body, and reducing a residue of the liquid matter in the container main body. The paper container with a stopper includes: a container main body (9) including a body (6) having a square tubular shape, a bottom (7), and a flat top (8); and a stopper (10) provided on the top (8). The stopper (10) is provided at a position adjacent to a first top corner portion (11(A)) of the top (8). The body (6) includes a first recessed portion (16) formed in a first body corner portion (12(A)) and surrounded by two recessed-portion forming folding line portions (14, 15) extending from a starting point (S), which is located at a first top corner portion (11(A)) or at a position slightly away from the first top corner portion (11(A)), branching from the starting point (S) so as to extend toward the bottom (7) direction, and joining together at an end point (E), which is located at a position within a range in which the two recessed-portion forming folding line portions (14, 15) extend until after reaching a first bottom corner portion (13(A)).