Plastic Container Neck Weight Optimization for Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plastic containers for carbonated beverages are unstable, leading to increased tipping and spilling during handling, filling, and shipping, which affects manufacturing efficiency and consumer satisfaction.

Innovation Solution

A plastic container design featuring a hollow body with a lower supporting base, a side wall, a neck portion with a screw-threaded outer surface, a tamper bead, and a support ring, optimized to lower the center of gravity by adjusting the weight and dimensions of the neck portion, thereby increasing stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the neck portion weight is increased to lower the center of gravity, then the stability of the container is improved, but the manufacturing cost and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer stabilityVSAvoidneck portion weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the neck portion weight within the range of 2.5 to 4.4 grams and positioning the center of gravity at 42.5%-49.99% of the container height. This quantitative parameter optimization achieves the desired stability improvement without excessive material addition, resolving the contradiction between stability enhancement and weight control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the center of gravity is lowered to reduce tipping tendency, then the container stability is improved, but the neck portion dimensions and design complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetipping resistanceVSAvoidneck portion design
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating the weight optimization specifically in the neck portion rather than redistributing material throughout the entire container. The neck portion is designed with specific structural characteristics (threaded closure interface, tamper-evident band, support ring) that locally achieve the center of gravity positioning goal without complicating the overall container design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If the container stability is improved by adjusting neck portion weight and center of gravity, then the filling efficiency and handling speed are improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling efficiencyVSAvoidcenter of gravity positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent defines specific parameter ranges (neck portion weight: 2.5-4.4g, center of gravity position: 42.5%-49.99% of container height) that provide a manufacturing window. These parameter specifications enable manufacturers to achieve the desired center of gravity positioning through controlled variations in neck portion design without requiring extreme precision, thus improving filling efficiency while maintaining manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP1993917B1Plastic container
Publication Date: 2016.07.27 PLASTIPAK PACKAGING INC
  • EP1993917B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1993917B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP1993917B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A plastic container having a lower supporting base portion, a sidewall portion extending upwardly from the base portion, a neck portion extending upwardly from the sidewall portion and an opening at the top of the neck portion. The container is characterized by a lowered center of gravity which provides increased stability.