Reinforced Thermoplastic Container With Internal Tension Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing thermoplastic containers with internal reinforcement are complex, time-consuming, and often result in reduced internal volume and increased manufacturing costs due to the need for external reinforcements or complex internal structures.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a mold with attachment elements secured to its inner sides, where a tension member is connected to these elements before adding thermoplastic material, allowing for the creation of a reinforced container with an internal spatial tension structure during the molding process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If external straps or tension members are used to reinforce the container, then stability against bulging is improved, but manufacturing time and costs increase due to multiple assembly steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability against bulgingVSAvoidmanufacturing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The tension members are pre-positioned and secured to attachment elements within the mold cavity before the thermoplastic material is molded. This preliminary arrangement allows the reinforcement structure to be integrated into the container during a single molding operation, eliminating subsequent assembly steps and reducing manufacturing time while maintaining stability against bulging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If hollow cross-members are integrated into the container to reinforce opposing walls, then structural stability is improved, but internal volume available for fluid storage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidinternal volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The tension members are implemented as flexible cable-like elements rather than rigid hollow cross-members. These thin-film-like reinforcement elements provide the necessary structural stability to resist bulging while occupying minimal space, thereby preserving the internal volume of the container for fluid storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If tie elements are connected between opposing walls of the container to increase stability, then resistance to positive pressure is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to positive pressureVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment elements and tension members are combined into an integrated reinforcement system that is molded as a single unit with the container body. This merging of components simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating separate assembly operations while maintaining the strength required to resist positive pressure within the container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 method simplifies the reinforcement process, reduces manufacturing time and costs, and maintains the internal volume of the container while providing stability against bulging.

Implementation Method 1

heating the thermoplastic material; and distributing the thermoplastic material at the inner side of the at least two mold parts to create a molded body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

releasably securing at least one attachment element to the inner side of one of the mold parts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Fastener: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS12285890B2Method for the production of a reinforced thermoplastic container

Publication Date: 2025.04.29 AGCO INT GMBH

AI summary

An internally reinforced thermoplastic container has a body manufactured using rotational molding. Prior to molding, attachment elements are releasably attached to the interior surface of parts of a mold, and an initially separate tension member is connected between the attachment elements. The mold is closed and a body of the container molded such that the attachment elements are integrated into the walls of the body. After molding, the attachment elements are released from the mold. The attachment elements and the tension member define a tension structure to resist outward bulging of the container walls. The tension member may be tensioned prior to or after molding of the container body. The attachment elements may take the form of eyelets having a base incorporated into the wall of the container body. The method enables the formation of a hollow thermoplastic container with integrally formed internal reinforcement.