Recycled Polypropylene Receptacle with Stepped Wall Gradations
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Solution Overview
Problem
In medical environments, single-use plastic receptacles are commonly used due to cost and sterility requirements, but they pose significant environmental concerns, necessitating a more sustainable alternative that maintains sterility and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A receptacle design featuring a base portion with stepped gradations and an abutment surface, thermoformed from recycled polypropylene, allowing for easy stacking and retrieval, and providing strength and rigidity, while minimizing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If single-use plastic receptacles are used in medical environments, then cost and sterility requirements are met, but environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional plastic to recycled polypropylene, maintaining the necessary sterility and functional properties while altering the environmental characteristics. This parameter change allows the receptacle to be reused multiple times, eliminating the need for single-use disposal and reducing environmental impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs recycled polypropylene material that combines the necessary medical-grade sterility properties with sustainable environmental characteristics. The material selection creates a composite solution that satisfies both medical requirements and environmental concerns.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If receptacles are made from recycled materials, then environmental impact is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex multi-step manufacturing processes with a single thermoforming operation. The recycled polypropylene material is heated and formed into the receptacle shape using heat and pressure, eliminating the need for assembly operations and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the thermoforming parameters (temperature, pressure, time) to enable efficient formation of the receptacle from recycled material. By controlling these parameters, the manufacturing process achieves both simplicity and high quality output.
3Productivity
If receptacles are designed for easy stacking, then productivity is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wall structure into multiple thickness zones, with the upper portion having greater thickness than the base portion. This segmentation creates the stepped configuration that enables easy stacking while maintaining structural integrity. The segmentation is achieved through a single thermoforming process rather than requiring multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a vertical dimension to the wall thickness, creating a stepped structure where the wall thickness varies in the vertical direction. This dimensional change enables the receptacle to stack easily with others while the overall structure remains relatively simple.
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 offers a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and functional alternative to single-use plastics by enabling efficient stacking and retrieval of receptacles, promoting sustainability in medical settings without compromising sterility or functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the receptacle 10 is thermoformed from recycled polypropylene
Data Source
AI summary
A receptacle (10) is provided having a base portion (12) and at least one wall (16) extending from and surrounding the base portion (12). The at least one wall (16) terminates in a rim (14). The at least one wall (16) is formed with stepped gradations (18) between the base portion (12) and the rim (14).