Plastic Container Movable Base Vacuum Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot-fill plastic containers face deformation issues due to vacuum pressures created when liquid contents cool, as current vacuum panels and flexible base regions are insufficient to adequately compensate for these forces, leading to structural deformation and design limitations.
Innovation Solution
A polymeric container with a deeply set, invertible pressure panel located in the base that moves between outwardly-inclined and inwardly-inclined positions to reduce container volume and accommodate vacuum forces, allowing the container to be supported by a standing ring regardless of the panel's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vacuum panels are located in the container sidewall to compensate for vacuum forces, then vacuum compensation is provided, but the container base surface becomes substantially flat or inwardly recessed requiring additional structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the vacuum compensation mechanism from the sidewall dimension to the base dimension by providing a flexible base region that can deflect inward. This allows the base to compensate for vacuum forces while maintaining a substantially flat outer base surface, eliminating the need for additional reinforcing structures on the sidewall.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the vacuum panel deflect inward from the sidewall as in conventional designs, this patent inverts the approach by allowing the base region to deflect inward. The flexible base region is configured to move inward under vacuum pressure, providing compensation while maintaining the integrity of the sidewall and outer base surface appearance.
2Ease of operation
If the pressure panel is deeply set into the base, then the container can be supported by the standing ring in both positions, but the panel must move between outwardly-inclined and inwardly-inclined positions to accommodate vacuum forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic pressure panel that can move between an outwardly-inclined position (for filling and support) and an inwardly-inclined position (for vacuum compensation). This dynamic movement allows the panel to adapt to different operational states while remaining deeply set into the base, ensuring the container can be supported by the standing ring in either position.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure panel's inclination angle changes as a parameter to accommodate different operational conditions. When the container is filled, the panel is in an outwardly-inclined position; when vacuum pressure develops, the panel rotates to an inwardly-inclined position. This parameter change enables the panel to perform different functions while maintaining deep setting for support.
3Reliability
If flexible base regions are used to provide vacuum compensation, then vacuum forces are accommodated, but the base surface must deflect further inward reducing design flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing a flexible base region only in the central area where vacuum forces are most intense, while the peripheral portions of the base remain relatively rigid. This localized flexibility allows the base to compensate for vacuum forces without requiring the entire base surface to deflect inward, preserving design flexibility and appearance.
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 configuration effectively compensates for vacuum forces, preventing deformation and allowing the container to maintain structural integrity and design flexibility, while being supported by a standard standing ring in both positions.
Implementation Method 1
vacuum pressures created when liquid contents cool
Implementation Method 2
Once the liquid within the container cools, the volume of the contained liquid reduces
Implementation Method 3
The pressure panel is movable from an initial, outwardly-inclined position, to an inverted, inwardly-inclined position
Data Source
AI summary
A plastic container comprises an upper portion including a finish defining an opening into the container, a lower portion including a base defining a standing surface, a sidewall extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the sidewall defining a longitudinal axis, and at least one substantially transversely-oriented pressure panel located in the lower portion. The pressure panel is movable between an outwardly-inclined position and an inwardly-inclined position to compensate for a change of pressure inside the container. The standing surface defines a standing plane, and the entire pressure panel is located between the standing plane and the upper portion of the container when the pressure panel is in the outwardly-inclined position.