Plastic Bottle Base Cup Hot Melt Adhesive Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pressurized plastic bottles in dispensing systems face challenges in structural integrity due to internal pressure, which can lead to rupture, and attaching a base cup to create an upright stance is difficult without compromising safety or causing separation during handling and environmental changes.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a hot melt adhesive is used to attach a base cup to a plastic bottle by heating it to a molten state, depositing it in a recessed region of the base cup, and cooling it to secure the attachment, utilizing a recessed area to spread the adhesive and minimize stress points.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a flat base is molded into the plastic bottle to allow it to stand upright, then the bottle can stand upright, but the base becomes highly susceptible to stress crazing and cracking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to stand uprightVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The base cup is separated from the bottle body as a distinct component. The rounded base is molded into the bottle, while a separate flat base cup is attached to provide the upright-standing surface, isolating the stress-bearing rounded base from the stability-providing flat base cup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An adhesive layer is introduced as an intermediary between the rounded base and the flat base cup. This adhesive layer distributes and reduces stress concentration at the interface, preventing stress crazing and cracking while maintaining the structural integrity of both components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a base cup is attached to the plastic bottle, then the system can stand upright, but the attachment may weaken during handling and environmental changes causing separation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to stand uprightVSAvoidattachment strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive selection and application process is designed to anticipate and cushion against future stress from handling and environmental changes. By choosing adhesives with appropriate flexibility and bond strength beforehand, the attachment is prepared to withstand temperature variations, impacts, and vibration without failing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of manufacture

If plastic bottles are used instead of metallic containers, then manufacturing cost and ease of manufacture improve, but structural integrity to withstand internal pressure deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidpressure resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The dispensing system uses a composite structure combining plastic bottle material with an adhesive layer and base cup material. This composite construction enhances the overall structural integrity and pressure resistance of the plastic bottle while maintaining the manufacturing advantages of using plastic instead of metal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 provides a strong, flexible bond that withstands pressure and impact, ensuring the base cup remains attached to the bottle, enhancing safety and stability while allowing the system to stand upright.

Implementation Method 1

heating a hot melt adhesive such that the hot melt adhesive is in a molten state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

cooling the molten hot melt adhesive to thereby attach the base cup to the plastic bottle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 3

the molten hot melt adhesive spreads out over the recessed region and the rest of the top wall of the pedestal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3464117B1Plastic bottle and base cup for a pressurized dispensing system
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 SC JOHNSON & SON INC
  • EP3464117B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3464117B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3464117B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A container for a pressurized dispensing system. The container includes a plastic bottle and a base cup bonded to a rounded bottom of the plastic bottle with a hot melt adhesive. The base cup has a bottom surface that allows the container to stand upright. A method of forming the container is also provided wherein hot melt adhesive is deposited in a recessed region in a top wall of a pedestal of the base cup, and a center region of the rounded bottom of the plastic bottle is pressed against the hot melt adhesive such that the adhesive spreads out over the recessed region and the rest of the top wall of the pedestal. After the hot melt adhesive cools, the bottle is securely bonded to the base cup.