Plastic Container Base With Segmented Feet And Grooves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plastic containers for hot-filled beverages face challenges in maintaining stability under internal pressures and external loads while having a low base height, which is difficult to achieve due to increased weight and material constraints.
Innovation Solution
A plastic container design featuring a ring segment-shaped standing surface with a large circumferential angle, narrow grooves, and a curved or partially curved groove profile, which distributes compressive forces effectively and allows for a reduced base height, suitable for hot-fill processes with internal pressures up to 4.0 bar and cold-fill pressures up to 6.0 bar.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a low base height design is implemented in hot-fill containers, then the container appearance and marketing appeal are improved, but the container stability and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The base is segmented into multiple standing feet (typically 6 feet) arranged circumferentially, with grooves between them. This segmentation allows the base to distribute loads more effectively across multiple contact points while maintaining a low overall height, resolving the contradiction between low profile and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The standing feet extend radially outward from the base center, utilizing the circumferential dimension to distribute weight and resist internal pressure. By arranging feet at specific circumferential angles (e.g., 60 degrees apart for 6 feet), the design achieves stability through spatial distribution rather than increasing base height.
2Strength
If the circumferential angle of standing surface is increased to improve stability, then the standing area increases, but the base height and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The grooves between standing feet have specific geometric characteristics (narrow width, controlled depth, curved or straight profiles) that concentrate material where it provides maximum structural benefit. This local optimization allows sufficient standing surface area for stability while minimizing overall material consumption in non-critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The design optimizes parameters such as groove width (narrow), groove depth, and circumferential angle distribution to achieve the desired balance. By carefully controlling these geometric parameters, the container achieves adequate standing stability with reduced material usage compared to conventional designs.
3Quantity of substance
If narrow grooves are used to reduce material usage, then the standing surface becomes more continuous, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The grooves feature curved bottoms with specified radii of curvature (e.g., R > 5mm, preferably R > 10mm or R > 20mm). This curvature prevents stress concentration at sharp corners while maintaining narrow groove dimensions. The curved geometry is more tolerant to manufacturing variations compared to sharp-angled grooves, reducing the impact of precision requirements.
4Temperature
If the container is designed for hot-fill processes with internal pressure, then the container can handle higher temperatures and pressures, but the base height and weight increase to maintain stability
Solution Approach 1:
The base geometry is pre-designed with optimized foot distribution and groove configurations that anticipate and prepare for the internal pressure loads generated during hot-fill processes. This preliminary structural arrangement allows the container to withstand high temperatures and pressures without requiring excessive material or base height, thereby controlling weight.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 3a~4
AI summary
Plastic container (1) in particular for beverages with an opening (12) through which a liquid can be withdrawn from the container, with a base body (14) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) to this opening (12) and a bottom section (2) extending in this longitudinal direction (L) to this base body (14), wherein the bottom section (2) has at least three feet (4), wherein outer surfaces (4a) of these feet (4) each have a segmentally ring-shaped circumferential angle (a1, a2, a3..The plastic container (1) is formed by a support section (20a, 20b, 20c) extending along its length, and at least three grooves (6) are formed between these support feet, wherein these grooves (6) extend at least also in a radial direction (R) of the plastic container perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L), wherein each of these grooves (6) has a groove base (62) extending at least also in the radial direction and a wall section (64) extending from this groove base (62) at least also to a support section (20a, 20b, 20c) of a support foot adjacent to this groove base (62). According to the invention, the sum of these circumferential angles (a1, a2, a3...) is greater than 180°.