Investigation of design parameters and novel design of petaloid PET bottles

Carbonated soft drink (CSD) Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) bottle contains pressurized liquid and its bottom design is petaloid in shape for self-standing. The trouble in this bottle is bottom cracking. In this study the design parameters of the petaloid bottom of the PET bottle have been investigated. Cracking test has been performed for different shapes of petaloid bottles and for several sizes of bottles, too. Through the cracking test, it has been concluded that the design parameters that affect the crack generation are clearance, foot length and valley width in the petaloid bottom. Computer simulation has been performed to seek for the optimum values of the design parameters that can reduce maximum principal stress concentration. Consequently the novel design of the petaloid bottom has been completed.