Transverse Vacuum Panel for Hot-Fill Container Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot-fill containers face challenges in fully compensating for vacuum pressure generated by liquid shrinkage, leading to distortion and instability, as vertically oriented vacuum panels are more effective than transversely oriented ones, which are often insufficient and require additional strengthening of sidewalls.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a transversely oriented vacuum panel that can move from a downwardly inclined to an upwardly inclined position, decoupled from the sidewall, allowing greater inward and longitudinal movement, and forming part of the base to increase stability and reduce vacuum pressure, with a base cup system for handling and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a transverse vacuum panel is placed in the base region, then vacuum compensation is achieved, but the container becomes geometrically unstable and requires additional strengthening
Solution Approach 1:
A base cup is introduced as an intermediary component between the container base and the supporting surface. The base cup provides the necessary geometric stability and support when the transverse vacuum panel is in its downwardly inclined position, allowing the panel to function for vacuum compensation without compromising container stability during handling and processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum panel is designed to be movable between two positions: downwardly inclined (providing geometric instability but allowing vacuum compensation) and upwardly inclined (providing geometric stability). The panel dynamically transitions between these states based on processing needs, with the base cup providing support when instability occurs.
2Reliability
If vertically oriented vacuum panels are used, then vacuum pressure is compensated, but the container requires substantial portion of circumferential wall area (60%) and additional strengthening
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using the conventional vertically oriented vacuum panels that require substantial circumferential wall area, the invention inverts the approach by placing a transverse vacuum panel in the base region. This inverted configuration achieves vacuum compensation with minimal structural complexity and without requiring 60% of the circumferential wall area to be dedicated to vacuum panels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the vacuum panel is decoupled from the sidewall, then greater inward and longitudinal movement is achieved, but the container requires base cup for stability
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum panel is decoupled from the sidewall, segmenting it into an independent movable component. This segmentation allows the panel to achieve greater inward and longitudinal movement for effective vacuum compensation. The base cup is introduced to provide the stability that the decoupled panel alone cannot maintain.
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 design effectively removes vacuum pressure, providing geometric stability and allowing for smoother handling and processing, enabling the use of smooth sidewalls without additional structural features, similar to glass containers, and reducing material thickness and costs.
Implementation Method 1
Once the liquid cools down in a capped container, however, the volume of the liquid in the container reduces, creating a vacuum within the container. This liquid shrinkage results in vacuum pressures that pull inwardly on the side and end walls of the container.
Implementation Method 2
said container having a geometrically unstable configuration when the vacuum panel is in the downwardly inclined position, said container having a geometrically stable configuration when attached to said base cup structure
Data Source
AI summary
A Method of Processing a Container and Base Cup Structure For Removal of Vacuum Pressure A plastic container (10) has a wall extending to a lower portion including a pressure panel (20). The panel (20) is transversely oriented and can move from a downwardly inclined position providing a geometrically unstable configuration to an upwardly inclined position providing a geometrically stable configuration to control pressure change in the container. This movement may be provided by suitable actuating means such as rod (22). In the unstable configuration a base cup 50 or any other suitable holder can support the container and enable it to be conveyed in a container handling or processing system.