Paper Inner Container Central Suction Port Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paper inner containers for refillable liquid containers face challenges in forming a suction port at the center of their upper surface, making it difficult to integrate with pumps designed for easy operation, and they are not designed to facilitate reliable liquid extraction.

Innovation Solution

A paper inner container with a thermoplastic resin laminate on both surfaces, featuring a square tubular shape with strategically positioned holes on the upper surface for easy suction port formation, and a reversed quadrangular pyramid-shaped bottom surface to ensure reliable liquid extraction, allowing for central suction port placement and efficient filling and emptying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If a paper inner container is used to reduce waste disposal issues, then environmental sustainability is improved, but it becomes difficult to form a suction port at the center of the upper surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste disposalVSAvoidsuction port formation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The upper surface of the paper inner container is divided into multiple panels (front panel, rear panel, left panel, right panel) that can be independently formed and assembled. This segmentation allows the suction port to be positioned at the center by coordinating the arrangement of these panels, solving the contradiction between using paper material and forming a central suction port.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The container employs an asymmetric panel arrangement where the front and rear panels are positioned differently relative to the suction port location. This asymmetric design enables precise positioning of the suction port at the center of the upper surface while maintaining the structural integrity of the paper container.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Ease of operation

If the pump is positioned at the center of the lid member for ease of operation, then ease of operation is improved, but the suction port cannot be aligned with it in traditional paper container designs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump operationVSAvoidsuction port positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The upper surface panel structure is designed to accommodate the suction port at a universal central position that aligns with the pump's central location on the lid member. This multi-functional design allows the same panel structure to serve both structural support and precise positioning functions, ensuring alignment between the pump and suction port.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional paper container structures (gable-top or flat-top) are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the suction port cannot be formed at the center of the upper surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer structureVSAvoidliquid extraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from traditional single-plane top structures (gable-top or flat-top) to a multi-dimensional panel assembly structure. By arranging multiple panels in specific three-dimensional configurations, the suction port can be positioned at the center while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized panel connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables easy formation of a central suction port on the paper inner container for efficient liquid dispensing and reliable extraction, improving the usability and environmental sustainability by reducing waste.

Implementation Method 1

a paper material having a thermoplastic resin laminated on its both surfaces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermoplastic heating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3342724B1Paper inner container for holding liquid refill contents
Publication Date: 2020.09.16 NIPPON PAPER IND CO LTD
  • EP3342724B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3342724B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3342724B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a paper inner container for storage of a refilling liquid content, which enables that a suction port is easily formed at a center of an upper surface thereof. The paper inner container includes: four body panels (5, 6, 7, 8), which form a body (11) having a square tubular shape; and a pair of upper-surface forming panels (15, 16) and a pair of side panels (18, 19), which are continuously provided on upper edges of the body panels (5, 6, 7, 8) to form an upper surface (12) of the paper inner container (1). The pair of upper-surface forming panels (15, 16) face each other and overlap in a vertical direction. The pair of side panels (18, 19) are positioned between the pair of upper-surface forming panels (15, 16) to face each other and folded up along with overlapping of the pair of upper-surface forming panels (15, 16). The pair of upper-surface forming panels (15, 16) have holes (23a, 23b), which are formed at centers of the pair of upper-surface forming panels (15, 16) to serve as a suction port (22). The hole (23b) formed in a lower upper-surface forming panel (16) is sealed by a tearable film (24). A periphery of the lower upper-surface forming panel (16), an upper upper-surface forming panel (15) of the pair of upper-surface forming panels, and the pair of side panels (18, 19) are bonded to each other to seal the paper inner container.