Lightweight Preform Support Ring Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for reducing the weight of blow molded containers, particularly the support ring, often compromise on strength or material efficiency, especially when used as part of the closure system, which is not suitable for all applications like carbonated beverages.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight thermoplastic preform with a support ring engineered to reduce material content by varying thickness, width, and incorporating voids or reinforcing segments, allowing for a weight reduction of 10% to 70% while maintaining sufficient strength for handling and blow molding processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the support ring is made thinner to reduce weight, then material content decreases, but strength and handling capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial content of support ringVSAvoidstrength of support ring

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support ring incorporates a foam material that provides structural strength while reducing density and weight. The foam structure allows the ring to maintain adequate strength for handling and blow molding processes while significantly decreasing material content compared to solid support rings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The support ring is constructed as a composite structure combining different materials or material densities, allowing optimization of both strength and weight properties. This composite approach enables the ring to provide sufficient mechanical support while minimizing material usage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the support ring is strengthened to serve dual functions (handling and closure), then strength improves, but material content and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength of support ringVSAvoidmaterial content of support ring

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The support ring is divided into multiple functional segments or zones with varying thickness and material properties. Areas requiring higher strength for closure functions are reinforced, while other areas use lighter construction, optimizing the balance between strength and material content

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the support ring have different material densities or structural characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The ring provides enhanced strength locally where needed for closure support while maintaining reduced material content in areas where full strength is not required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9533788B2Lightweight preform having a decreased weight support ring

Publication Date: 2017.01.03 CALELLO PATRICK MICHAEL

AI summary

A lightweight polyester preform is disclosed for the production of light weight polyester containers by blow molding. The preforms and the resulting blown containers have threads on an exterior surface adjacent an upper end. Adjacent to and located below the threads is a support ring. The support ring is used in handling and conveying a preform from injection molding to a blow mold and in blow molding the container from the preform. It also is used in handling and conveying the preform from storage to the blow mold. To lightweight the preform, and subsequent container, the support ring is designed to have a minimum weight, but a sufficient strength for the handling of the preform in the production of the blow molded container. The support ring is reduced in weight by about 10% to about 70% from a conventional preform support ring.