Squeezable Plastic Container with Arcuate Indentations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing squeezable plastic containers with vacuum panels face issues such as deformation, poor aesthetics, and increased force required for squeezing due to internal pressure changes during hot-fill processing and storage, leading to distortion and instability.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring four controlled deflection flex vacuum panels, with two smooth opposing squeezable panels having arcuate indentations to facilitate flexure without permanent distortion, allowing for efficient vacuum uptake and top-load strength, while maintaining grippable regions for user handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If vacuum panels are incorporated into the container body to accommodate shrinkage and negative internal pressure, then the container can maintain structural integrity during hot-fill processing and storage, but the container becomes less squeezable and requires higher force for deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The container body is divided into multiple vacuum panels (at least two opposing panels) that can independently deform inwardly to accommodate vacuum pressure. This segmentation allows the container to maintain overall structural integrity while providing localized flexibility for squeezing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum panels are designed with specific geometric features including arcuate indentations and defined boundary regions that concentrate flexibility in localized areas. These panels have different mechanical properties compared to the rest of the container body, allowing them to deform more easily under squeezing force while the overall container maintains rigidity.
2Strength
If the container geometry is made rigid to maintain structural stability, then the container can withstand internal negative pressure, but it becomes less conducive to squeezeability and requires higher force for deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into rigid structural portions (shoulder, base, neck) and flexible vacuum panels. This segmentation allows the rigid portions to provide top-load strength and structural stability while the flexible panels provide squeezeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum panels are designed as flexible thin-walled structures that can deform inwardly to accommodate vacuum pressure and can also be squeezed by user force. These panels act as flexible elements within an otherwise rigid container structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If standard six panel vacuum panel designs are used to provide flexibility and resilience, then the container can accommodate vacuum pressure, but labeling and end-user handling become difficult and distortion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The container uses at least two opposing vacuum panels rather than a symmetric six-panel design. This asymmetric configuration provides sufficient vacuum uptake capability while creating smooth, flat surface areas that are ideal for label application and reduce distortion during filling and handling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum panels incorporate arcuate indentations and defined boundary regions that concentrate the vacuum deformation in specific localized areas. This allows the majority of the container surface, particularly areas intended for labeling, to remain smooth and free from distortion.
4Weight of moving object
If the container is designed to be lightweight, then material usage is reduced and cost is lowered, but top-load strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum panels are constructed as thin-walled flexible structures that provide sufficient mechanical strength for their intended function while using minimal material. This allows the container to be lightweight overall while maintaining adequate top-load strength through the rigid structural portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The container structure is segmented into lightweight flexible vacuum panels and rigid structural portions. This segmentation allows optimization of each portion for its specific function, resulting in an overall lightweight container that maintains necessary strength characteristics.
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 design reduces internal pressure, minimizes label distortion, and provides a lightweight container with improved aesthetics and handling, maintaining shape integrity during squeezing and storage.
Implementation Method 1
as the product cools, the vacuum panels will deform and move inwardly thereby relieving internal pressure
Implementation Method 2
negative internal pressure forms within the sealed container
Implementation Method 3
arcuate indentation adapted to allow flexure of the respective panel without permanent distortion or creasing when a force is applied to the panel toward the container interior
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a plastic container comprising two substantially smooth opposing squeezable panels, separated by a vacuum panel and having at least one arcuate indentation adapted to allow flexure of the respective panel without permanent distortion or creasing when a force is applied to the panel toward the container interior.