Sidewall Pillars for Plastic Container Stacking Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container designs, despite efforts to enhance stacking strength, still require increased material usage and thickness, which is not optimized for minimizing material while maintaining strength, particularly in plastic injection molded containers.
Innovation Solution
The integration of spaced apart reinforcing pillars within the sidewalls of plastic containers, which are vertically extending and tapered, providing internal stiffening without extending completely through the sidewall to maintain a smooth exterior, thus minimizing material usage while enhancing stacking strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If sidewall thickness is increased to improve stacking strength, then strength is improved, but material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sidewall structure into multiple segments by incorporating vertically extending pillars that create internal compartments. These pillars segment the wall thickness into multiple layers, providing enhanced stacking strength through the segmented structure while maintaining thinner overall sidewalls, thus reducing total material usage compared to solid thick walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional wall thickness approach to a three-dimensional structure by adding vertically extending pillars. This creates multiple internal layers and compartments within the sidewall, utilizing the third dimension (vertical height) to provide stacking strength without increasing the horizontal wall thickness, thereby reducing material usage.
2Strength
If reinforcing structures are added to sidewalls to increase stacking strength, then strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reinforcing pillars with the sidewall structure itself, making them integral parts of the same molded component. The pillars are formed as a single piece with the sidewalls through injection molding, eliminating the need for separate reinforcement components and assembly steps, thus reducing structural complexity while maintaining enhanced stacking strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertically extending pillars serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide stacking strength, create internal compartments for potential reinforcement material placement, and maintain structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, simplifying the overall structure.
3Strength
If pillars extend completely through sidewall, then stacking strength is improved, but exterior smoothness is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the interior surface of the pillars rough while keeping the exterior sidewall surface smooth. The interior roughness provides enhanced stacking strength and grip, while the exterior smoothness maintains aesthetic appeal. This localized differentiation of surface properties resolves the contradiction between strength and smoothness.
Data Source
AI summary
A container has a base with upwardly extending sidewalls forming an enclosed volume. A plurality of spaced apart pillars extend from toward the base to toward an upper edge of the sidewalls along the sidewalls. The pillars may have a plurality of supports forming each of the pillars. The pillars provide additional stacking strength to the container without significantly contributing to the weight of the container.