Replaceable Synthetic Rings for Pressurized Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pressurized containers, such as LPG bottles and gas cylinders, suffer from damage and increased maintenance costs due to frequent impacts during handling and storage, requiring labor-intensive and costly replacement of metallic handle and support rings, which compromises the container's integrity and lifetime.

Innovation Solution

Replaceable upper and lower ring elements made from synthetic materials like high-density polyurethane, pressure-fitted over projections on the container, allowing for easy replacement without subjecting the container to heating and cooling cycles, reducing maintenance costs and extending the container's useful life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metallic handle and support rings are used in pressurized containers, then structural strength is improved, but maintenance cost and complexity increase due to frequent replacement needs from impact damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmaintenance cost and complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The handle and support rings are designed as separable, replaceable components that can be independently replaced without affecting the container body. This segmentation allows damaged rings to be swapped out quickly while preserving the integrity of the main container structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material parameter from traditional metal to synthetic materials (polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, or rubber), which fundamentally alters the properties of the rings to be more impact-resistant and easier to replace, thereby reducing maintenance complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If metallic ring elements are replaced through soldering, then structural integrity is maintained, but the container's lifetime is reduced due to repeated heating and cooling cycles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidcontainer lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the thermal joining method (soldering) with a mechanical attachment system using fastening means such as clips, lugs, or interference fits. This eliminates the need for heating and cooling cycles during replacement, preserving the container's structural integrity and extending its service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If frequent replacement of ring elements is performed, then damaged components are replaced, but total maintenance costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent functionalityVSAvoidtotal maintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The handle and support rings are designed as inexpensive, replaceable components made from cost-effective synthetic materials. When damaged, these rings can be replaced with new ones at low cost, avoiding the need for expensive repairs to the main container body while maintaining overall system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

Changing the material from metal to synthetic materials reduces both the initial cost of the rings and the cost of replacement rings, thereby reducing the total maintenance cost over the container's lifetime while maintaining adequate structural performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Shape

If metallic rings are painted for corrosion protection, then appearance is improved, but corrosion resistance is reduced when paint layer is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveappearanceVSAvoidcorrosion resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameter from metal to synthetic materials (polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, or rubber), which inherently possess corrosion resistance without requiring protective paint layers. This eliminates the vulnerability associated with paint damage while maintaining acceptable appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2724074B1Replaceable handle and support/base ring elements for a pressurized container and pressurized container

Publication Date: 2023.03.29 SOMMA TECH ENGENHARIA

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AI summary

The present invention refers to replaceable upper or handle and lower or support/base ring elements for a pressurized container having an upper portion and a lower portion, said ring elements comprising an upper ring element defining a handle portion for the container and a lower ring element defining a support/base portion for the container, wherein said upper and lower rings elements are manufactured from a thermostable material, a thermosetting material or a combination thereof and comprise fastening means to releasably engage the ring elements with projections provided on the upper and lower portions of said pressurized container. The invention also refers to a pressurized container having said replaceable ring elements.