Rounded Container Rim Structure That Removes Sharp Sealed Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing film sealed containers have sharp peripheral edges that can injure flesh or tear/cut materials, and existing edge-smoothing processes either fail to fully eliminate sharpness or weaken the container's structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of memory-structured rounded periphery containers, featuring a memory-structured elbow with an acute angle between the container rim and peripheral flange, deflecting the edge inward to create a rounded periphery without reducing structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If simple displacement of the peripheral edge using hot and cold processes is used, then the sharpness of the edge is reduced, but the container is weakened at the periphery and the process is labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming a rounded peripheral edge instead of a sharp or flat edge. The peripheral edge is formed with a radius of curvature that creates a gentle curve, eliminating sharp corners while maintaining structural strength. This curved geometry distributes stress more evenly around the periphery compared to sharp edges, resolving the contradiction between reducing sharpness and maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the peripheral edge by controlling the radius of curvature and the angle of the elbow structure. By adjusting these parameters during molding, the edge is formed with optimal curvature that reduces sharpness without compromising structural integrity. The specific radius and angular parameters are optimized to balance safety and strength.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If inward reflection of the peripheral edge is used, then the sharpness is reduced, but the container strength at the periphery is reduced and multiple passes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates the rounded peripheral edge geometry directly into the mold structure during the initial molding process. The mold includes a formed elbow structure with the desired curvature that is created in one step during primary molding, eliminating the need for subsequent reflection passes. This preliminary formation of the curved geometry resolves the contradiction by achieving edge rounding without requiring multiple processing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the edge rounding function with the primary molding process. The elbow structure and rounded periphery are formed as integral parts of the container body during single-stage molding, combining what would otherwise be separate operations (molding + reflection) into one unified process. This integration eliminates the need for multiple passes and reduces overall process complexity.
3Shape
If trimming of waste material is used, then the container shape is defined, but sharp peripheral edges are created that can injure flesh or tear materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the peripheral edge by forming a rounded edge with a specific radius instead of leaving a sharp trimmed edge. The curved geometry eliminates sharp corners that would otherwise injure flesh or tear materials, while still defining the container shape. The rounded periphery maintains the structural definition needed for the container while removing the harmful sharpness.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to memory-structured (MS) rounded periphery containers, which offer a novel solution for reducing the damage that may be caused by the peripheral edges of containers, and eliminating sharp peripheral edges of thermoformed containers that might otherwise injure flesh, or tear or cut materials that come into contact with the peripheral edge. The memory-structured (MS) rounded periphery containers of the present invention address the residually sharp peripheral edges, for example, of known film sealed containers, without reducing the structural integrity, or strength, at the periphery of the container. Further, the present invention is directed to film sealed memory-structured (MS) rounded periphery containers, which offer a novel solution for reducing the damage that may be caused by the peripheral edges of thermoformed film sealed containers/packaging, and eliminating sharp peripheral edges that might otherwise tear the film seal. The present invention is further directed to related methods and molds for preparing the memory-structured (MS) rounded periphery containers of the present invention.