Polymeric Container Flexible Panel Vacuum Resistance

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing polymeric containers face challenges in maintaining shape integrity under internal vacuum forces caused by cooling and external stresses during shipping, which can lead to distortion and reduced aesthetic appeal.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a flexible panel around the container body with alternating concave portions and vertically extending columns that flex inward and outward in response to vacuum forces, allowing for controlled shape maintenance and increased top-load capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If sufficient wall material thickness and weight are provided to withstand vacuum forces and external stresses, then container strength and shape stability are improved, but material usage and container weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevacuum resistanceVSAvoidmaterial thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The container body is segmented into alternating rigid panels and flexible panels. The rigid panels maintain structural strength while the flexible panels accommodate vacuum forces through controlled deformation. This segmentation allows the container to withstand vacuum pressures without requiring uniform thick walls throughout, thereby reducing overall material usage while maintaining necessary strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the container are assigned different structural properties: rigid panels in areas requiring strength and stability, and flexible panels in areas designed to deform under vacuum. This local differentiation of material properties allows the container to achieve necessary strength with optimized material distribution, reducing total material quantity while maintaining vacuum resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If sufficient wall material thickness and weight are provided to withstand external stacking stresses, then container strength and top-load resistance are improved, but material usage and container weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetop-load resistanceVSAvoidmaterial thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The container body is segmented into alternating rigid panels and flexible panels. The rigid panels maintain structural strength while the flexible panels accommodate vacuum forces through controlled deformation. This segmentation allows the container to withstand vacuum pressures without requiring uniform thick walls throughout, thereby reducing overall material usage while maintaining necessary strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the container are assigned different structural properties: rigid panels in areas requiring strength and stability, and flexible panels in areas designed to deform under vacuum. This local differentiation of material properties allows the container to achieve necessary strength with optimized material distribution, reducing total material quantity while maintaining vacuum resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Shape

If geometric structural features such as ribs and embossed shapes are added to maintain shape under vacuum, then shape stability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape stabilityVSAvoidstructural features

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible panels are designed to dynamically respond to vacuum forces by deforming in a controlled manner. Rather than using static rigid structures that resist vacuum, the flexible panels adapt their shape in response to applied forces, maintaining container integrity through dynamic deformation. This reduces the need for complex static structural features like ribs and embossed shapes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The container incorporates flexible panels that can deform under vacuum forces without compromising structural integrity. These flexible sections replace traditional rigid structural features such as ribs and embossed shapes, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining shape stability through controlled flexibility rather than complex geometric reinforcement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Shape

If the container is designed to absorb internal vacuum forces, then shape stability under vacuum is improved, but the container may distort or collapse under external stacking stresses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevacuum shape maintenanceVSAvoidtop-load strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The container body is segmented into alternating rigid panels and flexible panels. The rigid panels maintain structural strength while the flexible panels accommodate vacuum forces through controlled deformation. This segmentation allows the container to withstand vacuum pressures without requiring uniform thick walls throughout, thereby reducing overall material usage while maintaining necessary strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the container are assigned different structural properties: rigid panels in areas requiring strength and stability, and flexible panels in areas designed to deform under vacuum. This local differentiation of material properties allows the container to achieve necessary strength with optimized material distribution, reducing total material quantity while maintaining vacuum resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution effectively absorbs and manages internal vacuum forces, enhances top-load resistance, and reduces material thickness and weight, while maintaining a visually appealing and ergonomically functional shape.

Implementation Method 1

In response to a vacuum within the container resulting from filling and capping the container, the concave portions are configured to flex inward towards the longitudinal axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

the concave portions are configured to flex inward towards the longitudinal axis to become more concave, and the vertically extending columns are configured to flex outward away from the longitudinal axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12297028B2Polymeric container including a body with a plurality of oscillations

Publication Date: 2025.05.13 AMCOR RIGID PACKAGING USA LLC

AI summary

A polymeric container including a finish defining an opening of the container, a base, and a body. The body is between the finish and the base. The body includes a flexible panel extending entirely around the container A longitudinal axis of the container extends through an axial center of the finish, the base, the body, and the flexible panel. The flexible panel includes alternating concave portions and vertically extending columns arranged about the flexible panel. In response to a vacuum within the container resulting from filling and capping the container, the concave portions are configured to flex inward towards the longitudinal axis to become more concave, and the vertically extending columns are configured to flex outward away from the longitudinal axis of the container.