LT7090B - CONTAINER FOR STORAGE OF SMALL THINGS AND METHOD OF FORMING IT - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention describes an innovative method of forming containers for placing small items that provides sustainability and user-friendliness advantages over traditional container manufacturing methods. The container body is formed using a 3D printer, which allows for the production of plastic bodies with less waste. This process also allows for the use of recycled plastics and biodegradable plastics, further reducing the impact on the environment. The container uses a transparent or translucent cover that allows you to see the contents inside. This provides additional convenience to users by allowing them to easily identify the contents of the container without having to open it. The cover can be decorated with printing or stickers. This invention offers a reusable solution with one or more lids that allow access to the contents of the container. It promotes sustainability and responsible consumption by reducing waste. Using extrusion fused deposition modeling (FDM), the invention provides greater design flexibility and enables the production of complex geometries and hollow elements with lower initial costs.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to the production of products, and more specifically to the production of containers for storing things and performing decorative functions.

STATE OF THE ART

The prior art relates to the manufacture of containers using different materials and forming methods in various applications.

Containers used as piggy banks are quite common (See item sold by Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/PIG-WORLD-CeramicAlcancias-Adultos/dp/B0C45TC43S/), but they have important drawbacks. The production method of the ceramic container does not comply with the principles of sustainability, as the ceramic container is disposable. Also, breaking a ceramic container creates waste.

Another known analogue is the traditional woodworking technique used to make wooden containers such as piggy banks. The container produced in this way does not have a transparent cover, which prevents the evaluation of the contents of the container without opening the container. Also, this process of making a wooden piggy bank usually involves cutting and shaping the wood, which can lead to more waste. (See item for sale on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Wooden-Piggy-Bank-Kids-Beautifully/dp/B0C5DFHP2G/)

Another widely known method of forming a container is when plastic heated during the process is formed into an incomplete product (parison), which is then placed in a mold. Air is blown into the parison in the mold, causing the plastic to expand and take the shape of the walls of the mold. This method is called blow molding. View patent EP2012999 Blow molding requires custom-made molds for each new product. The blow molding process is not as flexible because it requires molds before production begins, which can be not only expensive, but also a time-consuming process. Blow molding is usually suitable for high-volume production because the initial cost of creating the molds is high. Although blow molding is well suited for the production of hollow products, it is limited in the production of complex shapes and parts. Blow molding is generally limited to certain types of thermoplastic materials that are suitable for the blow molding process. Using blow molding, the product created has a solid wall structure without any internal partitions, using the blow molding method, the inside of the product cannot be divided into separate sections.

ESSENCE OF THE INVENTION

The essence of the invention consists of these important features, which are necessary for the achievement of a technical result - a more efficient, economical and environmentally friendly method of manufacturing containers. This invention enables the production of containers using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology, which is more flexible and cost-effective than traditional methods such as blow molding, especially for small series or individual products.

The main characteristics of the invention are:

The container produced by a 3d printer is reusable, as it has one or more lids through which things can be easily removed, after removing the objects, the container can be refilled. It is a more sustainable way of production as no waste is created as the container can be used over and over again.

3D printing allows products to be manufactured using exactly the amount of material needed, reducing waste. In addition, 3D printers can use a variety of materials, including recycled plastics, which are more environmentally friendly. Also, the container produced in this way allows you to easily assess the contents of the container without opening the container, as it has a transparent lid.

Our extruded FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) printing method provides greater design flexibility, allowing easy changes and adaptation of products without additional mold costs. FDM is more cost-effective in the production of small series or individual products because it does not require a large initial investment in mold production. FDM enables the production of objects with complex geometries, including hollow elements, internal structures and complex surfaces, without additional costs. FDM technology allows the use of various materials, including various types of plastic (PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, Flex, HIPS, PA, PVA, PC, PP, CPE, PVB, NGEN, blends and other plastics suitable for FDM technology printers). Using the FDM method, the wall can be printed in three ways - solid, hollow (which allows you to make the product lighter and save material) and with internal partitions that disrupt the strength of the product. Using the FDM method, it is possible to form the internal space of the product, dividing it into several separate parts, as well as adding additional details, which allows to expand the possibilities of use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings show examples of possible embodiments of the invention, but they do not limit the scope of the invention.

, Figures 3 and 4. Examples of container construction are shown in fig. A section of one of the containers (Fig. 1) is shown.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

These containers can be used as piggy banks, wish urns, decorative containers, e.g. for displaying wine corks or the like.

Molding of the container includes the following sequence of actions: the body of the container is molded from plastic by a 3d printer. A cover is cut out of transparent plastic with a machine. A print or sticker is placed on it. A border is printed around the edge of the cap, which covers the imperfections caused by the 3d printer printing. One or two lids are fixed with screws or one is glued and the other is fixed so that the contents of the container can be removed. The covers are attached to the body.

The invention is explained in more detail with drawings showing various variants of the container construction, demonstrating the adaptation of lid and wall structures.

Fig. 1 shows a container for throwing small objects, consisting of a body (1) with an opening for throwing objects (2) and a lid (3) attached to the body with screws (8), which can also have an opening for throwing objects (2).

Fig. 2 is shown in Fig. 1 cut. It reflects the possible variants of the wall structure: hollow (4), solid (5), wall with partitions (6).

Fig. 3 shows a container for throwing small objects, consisting of a body (1) with one or more partitions (9) separating the body into several sections and several openings for throwing small objects (2) and two lids (3) attached to the body.

Fig. 4 shows a container for throwing small objects, consisting of a body (1) with additional parts (7) necessary to obtain a certain shape, and an opening for throwing small objects (2) and a lid (3) attached to the body.

Claims (7)

DEFINITION OF THE INVENTION 1. A method of forming containers for storing small items, which includes forming a container body (1) and attaching a cover (3) to the formed body, which differs in that the container body is formed by a 3d FDM printer. 2. The method according to point 1 differs in that the cover (3) is cut out of transparent plastic on which a stamp or sticker is placed. 3. The method according to points 1-2, differing in that one or two covers (3) are fixed with screws (8) or one is glued and the other is fixed with screws (8). 4. The method according to points 1-3, differing in that the body is formed from plastic suitable for FDM technology printers: PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, Flex, HIPS, PA, PVA, PC, PP, CPE, PVB, NGEN and others plastics suitable for FDM technology printers. 5. Method according to points 1-4, differing in that the body is formed with additional parts (7) and partitions (9). 6. The method according to points 1-5, differing in that the wall is printed in three ways - solid (5), hollow (4) and with internal partitions (6). 7. A container made according to points 1-6, differing in that it consists of a body (1) with additional parts (7) and partitions (6), a transparent plastic cover (3) with a print or sticker, one or two covers ( 3), fixed with screws (8) or one glued and the other fixed with screws.