Plastic Container Movable Base Vacuum Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot-fill plastic containers face deformation issues due to vacuum forces created when liquid contents cool, as current vacuum panels in the sidewalls and flexible base regions are insufficient to adequately compensate for these pressures, leading to structural deformation and design limitations.
Innovation Solution
A polymeric container with a deeply set, invertible pressure panel 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, and is formed through a blow molding process with specific angle configurations and hinge structures for efficient vacuum compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vacuum panels are located in the sidewall and flexible base region to compensate for vacuum forces, then vacuum pressure compensation is improved, but the container structure becomes complex and design flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vacuum compensation function into the base structure itself by forming a recessed cavity that acts as an integrated vacuum panel. This eliminates the need for separate sidewall vacuum panels and complex flexible base regions, achieving both structural simplification and effective vacuum pressure compensation through a single integrated feature.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pressure panel is deeply set into the base to remain within the standing ring, then container support stability is improved, but the panel's ability to compensate for vacuum forces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by transitioning the pressure panel from a two-dimensional flat structure to a three-dimensional recessed cavity. The panel is set deeply into the base at an angle, creating a volumetric structure that maintains stability within the standing ring while preserving vacuum compensation capability through its angled configuration and depth.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure panel is designed as a movable structure that can dynamically adjust its position. It moves between an initial outwardly-inclined position for stability and an inverted inwardly-inclined position for vacuum compensation, allowing the container to adapt to different operational states (filled vs. empty) while maintaining both stability and compensation effectiveness.
3Reliability
If the pressure panel is made movable to compensate for vacuum forces, then vacuum pressure compensation is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The movable pressure panel structure is pre-formed during the blow molding process itself, with the recessed cavity and angled panel configuration created as integral parts of the mold. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate manufacturing steps to create or attach vacuum compensation features, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while achieving reliable vacuum pressure compensation.
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 solution effectively reduces internal vacuum pressures and prevents deformation, allowing the container to maintain structural integrity and design flexibility by ensuring the pressure panel remains within the container's base, enabling stable support and efficient handling.
Implementation Method 1
Once the liquid within the container cools, the volume of the contained liquid reduces, creating a vacuum within the container that pulls inwardly on the side and end walls of the container
Implementation Method 2
Once the liquid within the container cools, the volume of the contained liquid reduces
Implementation Method 3
The pressure panel can be movable between an outwardly-inclined position and an 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.