Stackable Container Liner Adhesion via Annular Flange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stackable containers for liquid products, such as paints, face issues with liner slippage, leaks, and increased storage and transportation costs due to the complexity and fragility of weld beads, as well as the need for manual liner application and potential corrosion problems between metal containers and plastic liners.

Innovation Solution

A container design featuring a cup-shaped metal body with a single-piece, thermally formed plastic liner that adheres seamlessly to the body through strategic bends and a 'diameter-to-diameter' coupling mechanism, preventing slippage and leaks while optimizing stacking efficiency and reducing manufacturing complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If containers are stacked with the inner liner already applied, then storage and transportation volumes are reduced, but the inner liner slips out when the container is removed from the stack

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage and transportation volumeVSAvoidliner retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The liner is extended beyond the simple cup shape to include an annular flange that protrudes from the cylindrical portion. This flange engages with the rim of the container opening, adding a dimensional feature that prevents radial slippage while maintaining axial stacking capability. The liner transitions from a two-dimensional surface to a three-dimensional structure with multiple functional zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The liner is made of flexible plastic material that can be thermally formed into complex shapes including the annular flange. The flexibility allows the liner to deform during stacking and unstacking operations while maintaining its protective function. The thin film structure conforms to the container interior geometry while the flange provides mechanical retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If the degree of interpenetration between containers is reduced to prevent liner damage, then storage and transportation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliner protectionVSAvoidstorage and transportation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The annular flange extends radially beyond the container wall, creating a dimensional barrier that prevents direct contact between nested containers. This allows the containers to be stacked with greater interpenetration without the liner being damaged, as the flange absorbs the mechanical stress during insertion and removal operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If a liner consisting of different parts welded together is used, then the liner can be manufactured, but weld beads create leaks and fragile points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliner manufacturingVSAvoidliner integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The liner is manufactured as a single integral piece consisting of the bottom portion, cylindrical portion, and annular flange all formed from one continuous sheet of plastic material. The thermal forming process shapes the material without requiring welds or joints, eliminating the fragile weld bead areas that would create leak paths and stress concentration points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The liner is formed using thermal forming processes that change the physical parameters of the plastic material during manufacturing. The material is heated and molded into the final shape with the annular flange, allowing complex geometries to be achieved from a single piece without assembly operations that would compromise integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enhances adherence between the liner and the cup-shaped body, preventing slippage and leaks, allows for more efficient stacking, and reduces storage and transportation costs by eliminating the need for manual liner application and minimizing the risk of liner damage, while being easy and economical to manufacture.

Implementation Method 1

said liner being a single-piece, thermally formed plastic liner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal forming:

Data Source

PatentEP3666677A1Stackable container, cup-shaped body and liner for said container
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 F CEREDI
  • EP3666677A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3666677A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3666677A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

Stackable container for liquids, in particular paints, having a cup-shaped body (2) and an internally covering liner (3); the cup-shaped body (2) having a first bottom wall (4) which closed at an end a first lateral wall (5) so as to delimit an inner cavity (14); wherein the first lateral wall (5) has a coupling band (7) and a truncated cone portion (8) forming a first bend (6); wherein said coupling band (7) forms with said truncated cone portion (8) and within the cup-shaped body (2) a first angle (α) greater than 180°; wherein the liner (3) is realized in a single piece, covers the inner cavity (14) and is coupled against the cup-shaped bod (2), in particular against the coupling band (7).