This is an example of a team design scenario. The scenario involve designing a container for the Colgate-Palmolive Company to hold 28-32 oz. of a new product. The original specification called out for the use of ABS plastic in its construction, but in our research we determined that PE was a more suitable choice.

1. Marc Brander
Mike Holzer
Benny Kirchner
Tyrel Ruch

3. • Design a unique container for a
new liquid soap product.
• Container needs to hold 28-32
fluid oz. of product.
• Container must have a method
for seeing remaining product.

4. • Container should be aesthetically
pleasing.
• Container sizing should fit within
the “Golden Section,” or a ratio of
1:1.618 width to height.

5. • The container must be designed
ergonomically to make it useful to
its purpose. It must fit the hand, and
require only a reasonable amount of
force to dispense the product.

6. • Provision must be made for
application of a customer supplied
product label.
• The customer would prefer a
raised surface on which to affix
their label.

8. Per customer request, the original
design specification called for ABS
plastic as the material for this
bottle.

9. However, research conducted at our
expense has indicated PET
(Polyethylene Terephthalate) would
be better suited for this product.

10. Reasons for this material change
include:
• Material Property Advantages
• Raw Material Cost
• Recyclability

11. The material properties of PET
offer a distinct advantage to ABS
for the following reasons:

12. 1. PET can be produced with 99%
optical clarity, compared to 79%
with ABS.
2. ABS is a type of styrene known for
its durability and impact resistance.

13. 3. Due to its durability and impact
resistance, ABS provides a stiffer
wall, causing a need for greater
force to be exerted in this
squeeze bottle application.

14. 4. ABS offers a poor surface finish
and requires secondary coating
processes to produce a smooth or
glossy appearance.

15. 5. PET will produce clear, glossy
bottles needing no secondary
processes.
6. PET is better suited to both
Extrusion Blow Molding and Stretch
Blow Molding.

16. PET and ABS are both traded on an
open market. For this reason,
material pricing for both fluctuates
periodically.

17. Regardless of the fluctuation, virgin
PET pellets (raw material) can be
obtained at a lower cost than ABS.

18. Prices Listed are Per Pound Less than 10,000 lbs. 10,000 - 100,000 lbs. Greater than 100,000 lbs
Generic High Low Avg. High Low Avg. High Low Avg.
ABS $2.42 $0.83 $1.43 $1.25 $0.66 $0.96 $1.15 $0.68 $0.91
ABS (30% glass) $1.25 $1.25 $1.25
ABS - Medium Impact $0.89 $0.85 $0.87
ABS - High Impact $0.86 $0.86 $0.86 $1.24 $1.24 $1.24
Polcarbonate + ABS $4.25 $3.93 $4.09 $2.60 $0.90 $1.75
Polycarbonate + PET (Imp. Mod) $2.87 $2.87 $2.87
HDPE $0.82 $0.57 $0.67 $0.89 $0.49 $0.72 $0.79 $0.53 $0.64
HDPE (widespec, virgin) $0.42 $0.42 $0.42
HDPE (co-pp) $0.36 $0.36 $0.36
LDPE $0.94 $0.94 $0.94 $0.80 $0.72 $0.76
LLDPE $3.30 $1.40 $2.35 $0.93 $0.93 $0.93 $0.85 $0.50 $0.70
PET $1.50 $1.28 $1.43 $0.67 $0.67 $0.67 $0.70 $0.45 $0.56
Source: IDES Plastics quot;The Plastics Web.quot; Retrieved 2008-10-23, from
http://www.ides.com/resinprice/resinpricingreport.asp

19. Re-use and recycling is becoming a
major consideration in corporate
responsibility in the current global
economy.

20. For this reason, PET is a more
sensible choice ecologically, as it is
more widely accepted in recycling
programs nationwide.

21. Number 1 Plastics
PET/PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
Found in: Soft drink, water and beer
bottles; mouthwash bottles; soap bottles;
peanut butter containers; salad dressing
and vegetable oil containers.
Source: TheDailyGreen.com
http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/recycling-symbols-plastics-460321

22. Recycling: Picked up through most
curbside recycling programs.
Recycled into: Polar fleece, fiber,
tote bags, furniture, carpet, paneling,
straps, (occasionally) new
containers.
Source: TheDailyGreen.com
http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/recycling-symbols-plastics-460321

23. PET plastic is the most common for
bottles because it is inexpensive,
lightweight and easy to recycle. It
poses low risk of leaching
breakdown products. Recycling rates
remain relatively low (around 20%),
though the material is in high
demand by remanufacturers.
Source: TheDailyGreen.com
http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/recycling-symbols-plastics-460321

24. Number 7 Plastics
Miscellaneous
Found in: Three- and five-gallon water
bottles, sunglasses, DVDs, iPod and
computer cases, signs and displays,
certain food containers, nylon
Source: TheDailyGreen.com
http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/recycling-symbols-plastics-460321

25. Recycling: Number 7 plastics have
traditionally not been recycled, though
some curbside programs now take
them.
Recycled into: Plastic lumber, custom-
made products
Source: TheDailyGreen.com
http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/recycling-symbols-plastics-460321

26. ABS plastic, which is classified as a
Number 7, is one of a wide variety of
plastic resins that don't fit into any of
the other categories.
Source: TheDailyGreen.com
http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/recycling-symbols-plastics-460321

27. As an incentive, your own scrap PET or
other commercially available recycled
PET may be added to your virgin
material to produce a cost savings.

29. We considered a number of designs
and styles to satisfy your needs.
The following are a few of our
preliminary design thoughts:

38. This diagram
demonstrates the
application of the
“Golden Section” of
1.618:1 in the
bottles dimensions.

39. All of the
dimensions shown
are related to one
another using this
ratio.

41. Using a Stratysys Dimension SST
Rapid Prototyping machine, we
were able to create a 1:1 scale 3-
dimensional prototype model of our
design proposal.

43. The bottle has been ergonomically
designed for easy one handed use.

44. Using symmetry, the bottle also
allows for easy left-hand use.

45. The bottle shape also allows it to be
stood on its top.

47. Using a third
interval color
scheme, green, blue
green, and blue
were added to
promote a feeling
of harmony.

48. Using a third
interval color
scheme, green, blue
green, and blue
were added to
promote a feeling
of harmony.

49. Using a third
interval color
scheme, green, blue
green, and blue
were added to
promote a feeling
of harmony.

50. Using a fifth
interval color
scheme, green and
violet were added
to promote a subtle,
yet pleasing
appearance.

51. Using a fifth
interval color
scheme, green and
violet were added
to promote a subtle,
yet pleasing
appearance.

52. Using a fifth
interval color
scheme, green and
violet were added
to promote a subtle,
yet pleasing
appearance.

53. Using a seventh
interval color
scheme, red and
green were used to
promote a feeling
of excitement.

54. Using a seventh
interval color
scheme, red and
green were used to
promote a feeling
of excitement.

55. Using a seventh
interval color
scheme, red and
green were used to
promote a feeling
of excitement.

57. Using COSMOS Works, a Finite
Element Analysis (FEA) software,
we were able to simulate the force
required to squeeze this bottle to
dispense the product within.

58. Our results were as follows:

59. • Using a squeezing
force of only four
pounds, the bottle
will deform .330
inches per side.
COSMOS – von MISES STRESS

60. • We feel that four
pounds of force is
a very reasonable
amount of force to
exert;
COSMOS – DEFORMATION

61. • and that this
amount of
deformation should
provide sufficient
internal pressure to
dispense the
product.
COSMOS – EQUIVALENT STRAIN

66. Initial Volume 63.39 Cubic Inches
(-) Final Volume 3.99 Cubic Inches
59.40 Cubic Inches
Conversion Factor 0.5541125541
32.91 Fluid Ounces
Source: Online Conversion.com http://www.onlineconversion.com/volume.htm,
based on the formula 1 cubic inch = 0.554 112 554 1 ounce [US, liquid]

68. We designed this bottle to feature
an inverted style cap. This style has
gained popularity on a wide variety
of products, and we feel that it is
ideal for this application.

69. We have sourced a cap for this
bottle from Zeller Plastics, and the
cap is available through McKernan
Packaging.

70. The neck is produced using the PBI
L28SP400 finish, and a number of
manufacturers offer similar caps in
this size.

71. This cap, P/N 3812-28400, is
available at a cost of $0.57 each in
quantities of 1000.

72. The cap shown here features a one
way silicone valve to prevent drips
and to limit flow.