Tapered Vacuum Panels for Plastic Container Grip and Uptake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plastic containers with vacuum panels face limitations in achieving sufficient vacuum uptake capacity and providing adequate mechanical advantage for gripping, especially when design is constrained by aesthetic preferences and size considerations.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates tapered recessed flexible vacuum uptake panels in the container body, with varying depths and positions to maximize vacuum uptake and grippability, featuring a main body portion with first and second recessed panels and curved sidewalls to optimize grip security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional vacuum panels are made larger to increase vacuum uptake capacity, then vacuum uptake capacity is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum panel is divided into multiple recessed regions (first recessed region, second recessed region, third recessed region) with different depths and configurations. This segmentation allows the total vacuum uptake capacity to be distributed across multiple smaller recesses rather than one large recess, maintaining aesthetic appearance while achieving sufficient vacuum uptake.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the container wall are given different recess depths and characteristics. The first recessed region has a first depth, the second recessed region has a second depth, and the third recessed region has a third depth. This local variation in quality allows optimization of vacuum uptake in specific areas while maintaining overall aesthetic appearance.
2Quantity of substance
If vacuum panels are made deeper to increase vacuum uptake, then vacuum uptake capacity is improved, but grippability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum panel is segmented into multiple recessed regions with different depths positioned at different locations. This allows the total vacuum uptake to be achieved through distributed shallow-to-moderate recesses rather than one deep recess, maintaining grippability while achieving sufficient vacuum uptake capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing vacuum uptake by deepening a single recess (one-dimensional approach), the invention distributes the vacuum uptake capacity across multiple recesses at different positions and depths (multi-dimensional approach). This transforms the problem from depth optimization to spatial distribution optimization, maintaining grippability.
3Shape
If the container surface is made smooth for aesthetic purposes, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but grippability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The container surface maintains smooth aesthetic appearance in most areas while introducing localized recessed regions with specific depth variations. These localized variations provide grip points without compromising the overall smooth aesthetic appearance of the container body.
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
This configuration enhances vacuum uptake capacity and grippability by allowing greater flexibility and surface area utilization, providing improved handling security even when the container is slick from condensation.
Implementation Method 1
the recessed panel has an upper portion and a lower portion, and is tapered so that the upper portion is recessed with respect to the outer diameter to a greater extent than the lower portion is recessed with respect to the outer diameter
Implementation Method 2
at least one recessed flexible vacuum uptake panel is defined in the main body portion that is constructed and arranged to flex inwardly to provide vacuum uptake when a sufficient underpressure exists in the internal space relative to ambient external pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A plastic container that is adapted for adjustment to internal volumetric changes includes a container body defining an internal space and having a main body portion that defines a longitudinal axis and an outer diameter. The main body portion is substantially cylindrical at its outer diameter, and includes first and second recessed flexible vacuum uptake panels, each of which is constructed and arranged to flex inwardly to provide vacuum uptake when a sufficient underpressure exists in the internal space relative to ambient external pressure. The main body portion further includes a front side defining a first curved sidewall portion between the first and second recessed panels and a rear side defining a second curved sidewall portion between the first and second recessed panels. The first curved sidewall portion has a length L1 as viewed in horizontal cross-section that is less than a length L2 of the second curved sidewall portion. Each of the recessed panels has an upper portion and a lower portion, and each recessed panel is tapered so that the upper portion is recessed with respect to the outer diameter to a greater extent than the lower portion is recessed with respect to the outer diameter. This optimizes the usable surface area of the vacuum panels and forms a tapered grip configuration that enhances grippability of the plastic container by consumers.