Plastic Bottle Carrier with Segmented Columns for Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bottle carriers face challenges in stability and material efficiency due to the height of one-liter bottles, which complicates the design and production of the handle and supporting columns, often resulting in instability and high material consumption.

Innovation Solution

A one-piece plastic bottle carrier design featuring a central longitudinal recess with semi-columnar columns transitioning to closed-walled columns, U-shaped handles with parallel lamellae, and triangular columns for increased stability, along with a mold design that ensures precise and efficient production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the columns are made longer to support one-liter bottles, then the stability of the bottle carrier is improved, but the material consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidmaterial consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The columns are segmented into two distinct parts: a lower semi-column portion and an upper closed-walled column portion. This segmentation allows each part to serve different functions - the semi-column provides structural support while the closed-walled section enhances stability, thereby achieving overall stability with optimized material distribution throughout the column structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the column have different structural qualities - the lower part is open-walled (semi-column) while the upper part is closed-walled. This local quality variation optimizes material usage by providing enhanced stability only where needed (upper section) while reducing material consumption in the lower section where full enclosure is not necessary

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If the columns are made longer to support one-liter bottles, then the stability of the bottle carrier is improved, but the production precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidproduction precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Dividing the column into semi-column and closed-walled sections creates distinct molding zones that are easier to control during injection molding. The sword-shaped mold component can efficiently form both types of columns in one operation, maintaining high production precision even for the extended column lengths required for one-liter bottles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transition from semi-column to closed-walled column represents a controlled parameter change in the molding process. The mold design incorporates this transition smoothly, allowing the injection molding process to maintain precision while creating the varied column structure needed for stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the wall thickness of column stumps is increased to improve stability, then the stability of the bottle carrier is improved, but the spring effect deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidspring effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The wall thickness of the column stumps is precisely controlled within a specific range (0.5-2.0 mm) to achieve the optimal balance between stability and spring effect. This parameter optimization allows the stumps to provide structural stability while maintaining sufficient elasticity for bottle insertion and removal operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2103533B1Integrated plastic bottle crate and forming tool for the production thereof
Publication Date: 2011.04.27 LINPAC ALLIBERT
  • EP2103533B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2103533B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2103533B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The carrier has a handle carried by columns fastened at a base (1) and supported by bottle compartment walls (6), where the carrier is made of plastic. An elongated recess lying under the handle is centrically arranged at the base in a direction of a longitudinal axis. Half columns carrying the handle at upper ends are arranged at two ends of the recess lying in the longitudinal axis of the carrier. The half columns are merged to a top part in the form of a closed wall column (8). The handle is formed at the closed wall column. An independent claim is also included for a molding tool for manufacturing a bottle carrier in the form of a box from plastic.