Thin-Wall rPET Container Structure for Low-Color Transparency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Recycled PET (rPET) containers used for transparent liquids like water exhibit unwanted coloration, limiting their use to non-transparent beverages, as they are not as transparent as virgin PET containers.

Innovation Solution

Designing thin wall containers with at least 50% rPET, featuring a neck and a wall, and planar stretch ratios, and a thickness of from 50 μm to 150 μm, and a thickness of from 50 μm to 150 μm, with specific thickness and stretch ratios, to minimize coloration and enhance transparency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If recycled PET (rPET) is used to make containers, then environmental preservation is improved, but transparency and coloration are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental preservationVSAvoidtransparency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the wall thickness parameter from conventional dimensions to thin wall dimensions (50-150 μm), which reduces the material quantity and thereby reduces the coloration effect of rPET, improving transparency while maintaining environmental benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material structure by combining rPET with virgin PET in specific ratios, creating a blended material that balances environmental preservation with acceptable transparency and mechanical properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If rPET is used for transparent liquids, then environmental benefits are achieved, but coloration masks the liquid clarity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental benefitsVSAvoidcoloration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces wall thickness to 50-150 μm, which minimizes the path length of light through the colored material, thereby reducing the perceived coloration and allowing transparent liquids to maintain their clarity while still using rPET

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If thin wall design is implemented, then material usage is reduced, but structural strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial usageVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the thin wall thickness within a specific range (50-150 μm) and controls the planar stretch ratio (12.0-27.0) to achieve the right balance between material reduction and maintaining sufficient structural strength for container functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different wall thicknesses to different portions of the container, with the thin wall portion (50-150 μm) in specific areas while maintaining adequate thickness in areas requiring higher strength, optimizing both material usage and structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250368377A1Thin wall container made with a recycled material

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 SOCIETE ANONYME DES EAUX MINERALES D EVIAN SAEME

AI summary

A thin wall container for being filled with a liquid reference volume, made with polyethylene terephtalate (PET), comprising a neck and a wall, wherein: —the PET comprises at least 50% by weight of a PET recycled by a mechanical route (rPET), and, —the container presents at least the following feature: Feature a) the wall has a thin portion having an average thickness of from 50 μm to 150 μm.