Reinforced Neck Finish for Wide-Mouth Plastic Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wide-mouth plastic containers with reduced neck finish height become more deformable, leading to leakage issues when hermetically closed, especially after hot filling or pasteurization, as the existing methods to enhance crystallinity compromise the structural integrity of the neck finish.
Innovation Solution
A reinforced neck finish design for wide-mouth plastic containers, featuring a thicker lower portion and a discontinuous thread system, which allows for a shorter neck height while maintaining resistance to deformation and ensuring a secure seal with a standard lid, thereby reducing the risk of leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the neck finish height is reduced to improve aesthetics and allow smaller lids, then the container becomes more deformable and prone to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a reinforced lower portion in the neck finish with increased wall thickness specifically at the vulnerable lower section. This localized reinforcement maintains structural integrity and leakage resistance while allowing the overall neck finish height to be reduced for aesthetic purposes and compatibility with smaller lids.
2Stability of the object's composition
If thermal processing is used to increase PET crystallinity, then material integrity improves but neck finish deformation resistance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses this contradiction by locally reinforcing the lower portion of the neck finish through increased wall thickness. This localized structural enhancement compensates for the reduced deformation resistance caused by thermal processing and increased crystallinity, maintaining overall neck finish strength while preserving the benefits of thermal processing.
3Strength
If mechanical processing is used to orient amorphous material, then strain hardening is achieved but neck finish structural integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by applying local reinforcement through increased wall thickness in the lower portion of the neck finish. This localized structural enhancement protects the neck finish structural integrity that would otherwise be compromised by mechanical processing and strain hardening of the main container body.
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 reinforced neck finish design enhances the structural integrity and aesthetic appeal of the container by reducing deformation and ensuring a tight seal, even with a small-height lid, thus preventing leakage issues and providing a visually appealing closure.
Implementation Method 1
a thicker lower portion... which allows for a shorter neck height while maintaining resistance to deformation
Implementation Method 2
a discontinuous thread system, which allows for a shorter neck height while maintaining resistance to deformation and ensuring a secure seal with a standard lid
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The assembly comprises a container (1) and a removable closure (2) that can be screwed onto the plastic container. Said plastic preform container (1) comprises a hollow body (11) and a neck finish (10) terminated by a wide-mouth opening (100). Said neck finish comprises a neck support ring (102) and a neck portion (101) extending between the wide-mouth opening (100) and the neck support ring (102). The neck portion (101) is provided with a thread (12) for screwing the removable closure onto the neck portion (101), and comprises an upper portion (1010) and a reinforced lower portion (1011). The inner face (1011 b) of the reinforced lower portion (1011) is transitioning to the inner face (1010b) of the upper portion (1010) along a transition step (1011 c) in such a way that said reinforced lower portion (1011) is thicker than the upper portion (1010) at least in a top part of the reinforced lower portion (1011). The removable closure (2) comprises a deformable sealing material (20) and once the removable closure is being screwed onto the neck finish of the container (1), the upper portion (1010) of the neck portion (101) is in contact with the deformable sealing material (20) and a seal is achieved only between this upper portion (1010) of the neck portion (101) and the removable closure (2).