Plastic Container Deformation Section for Stacking Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lightweight plastic containers for beverages are prone to deformation and instability under vertical loads during stacking, leading to potential collapse and damage, which affects both the container's integrity and brand image.
Innovation Solution
A plastic container design featuring a deformation section below the shoulder area that is elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction, allowing for compressive deformation without permanent damage, utilizing a conical or grooved rib geometry to support the container and prevent inward folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the container is deformed in the base area to withstand top load, then the container can resist vertical compression forces, but the container will tilt once the load is removed and may cause permanent deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a deformation section with specific geometric features (reduced wall thickness, circumferential grooves) localized in the lower portion of the container body. This localized structural modification allows the container to deform in a controlled manner under vertical load while maintaining overall shape stability, preventing both base deformation and shoulder collapse that would cause tilting or permanent deformation.
2Strength
If the container is deformed in the center area to withstand top load, then the container can resist vertical compression forces, but the container may tilt and suffer permanent design changes detrimental to brand image
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation section is positioned in the lower portion of the container body, away from the central design areas. The circumferential grooves and reduced wall thickness in this localized region enable controlled elastic deformation under load, while the upper portions of the container maintain their original design integrity, preventing permanent shape changes that would affect brand image.
3Strength
If the container is deformed further in the center to withstand top load, then the container can resist vertical compression forces, but significant buckling occurs leading to pallet instability
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation section with circumferential grooves and reduced wall thickness is strategically positioned in the lower container body, creating a localized compression zone. This controlled deformation mechanism prevents buckling of the entire container and maintains pallet stability, as the deformation is confined to a specific region rather than propagating through the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is pre-formed with a deformation section during manufacturing, including circumferential grooves and reduced wall thickness in the lower portion. This preliminary structural preparation enables the container to undergo controlled elastic deformation when subjected to top loads during stacking, preventing unexpected buckling and maintaining pallet stability.
4Strength
If the container uses a smaller diameter in the center to withstand top load, then the container can resist vertical compression forces, but the internal pressure contributes less to the force the container can exert
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation section with reduced wall thickness and circumferential grooves is positioned in the lower portion of the container body, creating a localized zone for compression deformation. This allows the upper portions of the container, including the shoulder and mouth regions, to maintain their full diameter and structural integrity, preserving the contribution of internal pressure to top load resistance while still enabling controlled deformation under vertical compression.
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 design enables the container to withstand top loads without permanent deformation, ensuring stability and integrity during stacking and transport, while maintaining the brand image by reversing deformation upon load removal.
Implementation Method 1
a deformation section in the upper section and in the longitudinal direction below the mouth section and in particular also below the shoulder section, in which the plastic container is deformable and in particular elastically deformable with respect to its longitudinal direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
A plastic container (1) for holding liquids, in particular beverages, comprising a bottom section (2), a base body (4) adjoining the bottom section (2) which forms a receiving volume for holding the liquid and which extends in a longitudinal direction (L) of the plastic container, a shoulder area (8) adjoining the base body in the longitudinal direction (L) in which a cross-section decreases in the longitudinal direction (L), and an opening area (10) adjoining the shoulder area (8) in the longitudinal direction (L) in which an opening is formed through which the liquid can be supplied to the container, wherein the shoulder area and the opening area are arranged in an upper section (A1) of the plastic container with respect to the longitudinal direction (L), characterized in thatthat the plastic container has a deformation section (6) in the upper section (A1) and in the longitudinal direction (L) below the opening section (10), in which the plastic container (1) is elastically deformable with respect to its longitudinal direction.