Plastic Container Bottom Wall Hinge for Pressure Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Plastic containers deform under temperature and pressure changes, leading to structural issues when filled with warm contents or subjected to altitude changes, causing potential damage during stacking and transportation.
Innovation Solution
A monolithic plastic container design with a thicker lateral wall and a hinge at the junction of the bottom wall, allowing the bottom wall to deform in response to pressure differentials while maintaining the shape of the lateral wall and lid, thus adapting to volume changes without extending deformation below the ground plane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the container is made with uniform wall thickness, then the manufacturing is simple, but the container deforms under pressure differential affecting stacking and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the wall thickness of the bottom wall relative to the lateral walls. Specifically, the bottom wall has a different thickness (30-50% of lateral wall thickness) to create a hinge zone that can deform under pressure differential while the lateral walls maintain their structural integrity for stable stacking and transportation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the bottom wall is made thinner to allow deformation, then the container adapts to pressure changes, but the structural strength of the bottom wall decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the bottom wall thickness within a specific range (30-50% of lateral wall thickness). This parameter optimization allows the bottom wall to deform sufficiently under pressure differential to adapt to volume changes while maintaining enough structural strength to support the container's contents and prevent failure.
3Reliability
If the container deforms under pressure differential, then the volume changes to equalize pressure, but the deformation may extend below the ground plane causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by creating a distinct hinge zone at the bottom wall that is structurally separated from the lateral walls through differential thickness. This segmentation allows the bottom wall to deform independently under pressure differential while the lateral walls and rim remain stable, preventing the container from becoming unstable or tipping during deformation.
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
The container effectively adapts to pressure and temperature changes by deforming only at the bottom wall, maintaining structural integrity and preventing damage during storage and transportation.
Implementation Method 1
deforming at a bottom wall to change a volume of the closed cavity as a function of a pressure differential
Data Source
AI summary
A container comprises a monolithic plastic body having a lateral wall forming a tubular portion of the plastic container and a bottom edge portion for resting the plastic container on a ground. A bottom wall is at a bottom portion of the plastic container. The bottom wall us spaced apart from a plane of the bottom edge portion, the bottom wall and the lateral wall concurrently forming a receiving cavity of the plastic container. The bottom wall has a wall thickness between 30-50% of a wall thickness of the lateral wall. A hinge is at a junction of the bottom wall with a remainder of the container.