Reusable PET Bottle Heel Structure for Pressure and Washing Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reusable plastic bottles for carbonated drinks face limitations in the number of washing cycles and resistance to internal pressure and chemical-physical stress from carbonated drinks, particularly when sanitized with sodium hydroxide.
Innovation Solution
A reusable bottle design featuring a concave heel and increased Trans conformation PET in the standing ring and side wall, optimizing material distribution and thickness for enhanced rigidity and chemical-physical resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the bottle is made with conventional material distribution, then the amount of material used is reduced, but the resistance to washing cycles and internal pressure is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating polymer material specifically in the standing ring and side wall regions where mechanical strength is most needed. The lower portion includes a standing ring with increased material concentration to withstand internal pressure from carbonated drinks, while the heel region has optimized material distribution to resist washing cycle degradation. This localized material concentration achieves enhanced strength without uniformly increasing the total material quantity throughout the entire bottle structure.
2Reliability
If the standing ring is made with conventional material conformation, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the chemical-physical resistance to carbonated drinks is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the PET conformation in the standing ring to achieve a high percentage of Trans conformation (greater than 25%). This specific conformational parameter change provides enhanced chemical-physical resistance to carbonated drinks and sanitation chemicals like sodium hydroxide. The molding process is designed to facilitate this conformational arrangement during manufacturing, achieving improved reliability through controlled material structure rather than complex post-manufacturing treatment.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the heel projection is increased, then the structural stability is improved, but the material distribution and wall thickness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies another dimension by optimizing the heel projection to a specific range (7-14% of total bottle height) rather than maximizing it. This dimensional optimization balances structural stability provided by the heel against the material availability for the standing ring and side walls. The concave heel configuration and projected length are carefully controlled to maintain stability while preserving sufficient material for the critical standing ring region, achieving a dimensional balance that satisfies both requirements.
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 bottle withstands at least 40 washing cycles and maintains structural integrity under internal pressure, with improved chemical-physical resistance and reduced material usage.
Implementation Method 1
a bottle according to the invention may have a standing ring formed by PET having a particularly high percentage of Trans conformation, greater than a conventional bottle
Implementation Method 2
in a bottle according to the invention, versus a conventional bottle, given the same amount of material used, the thickness of the side wall and the wall thickness of the standing ring are greater
Implementation Method 3
bottles of this type are still not sufficiently satisfactory in terms of resistance to internal pressure, the increase of which is due to the carbonated drink contained therein
Implementation Method 4
the number of washing cycles to which they can be subjected is not yet high enough... bottles of this type are still not sufficiently satisfactory in terms of chemical-physical resistance to the carbonated drink contained therein
Data Source
AI summary
A reusable bottle (1) made of plastic, in particular for carbonated soft drinks, defining a longitudinal axis (X), comprisingan upper portion (2) defining an opening (20) extending about said longitudinal axis (X);a side wall (3);a lower portion (4), defining a closed bottom (40);wherein the lower portion (4) comprises:a heel (5), in particular an annular heel;a standing ring (6), extending from the heel (5) and defining the lower standing surface of the bottle (1);a central dome (7), in particular concave outwards;wherein said heel (5) is concave towards the outside of the bottle (1); and wherein the projection (H) of the heel (5) on said longitudinal axis (X) has a length from 7 to 14% with respect to the total height (H1) of the bottle (1) along the longitudinal axis (X).