MEC114: Mechanical Engineering Techniques

Abstract Exercise

MARTIN BRIEN

Paper Description HAIKU

Squeezy bottles
Fluid structure interaction
Modelled with math

Abstract (170 words)

Squeezable packaging is ubiquitous in the market place, yet a lack a applied

research in this specialism continues to produce ill-designed products that
people find difficult to use, especially for the elderly and disabled.

In order to cater for all of the population, design improvements should be

informed by scientific understanding of the factors that determine the
functionality of squeezable packaging.

This report experimentally investigates the degree of influence of factors, such

as, fluid velocity, geometry of the nozzle and the applied squeezing force.

To study these factors analytically a typical sun lotion bottle was used as the
basis for the construction of a three dimensional finite element model.
External load, materials and fluid structural interaction (via Arbitrary
Lagrangian Eulerian method) were all modelled. The simulation enabled the
analysis of the stiffness, nozzle size and fluid properties.

The results indicate that for most of the fluid samples volumetric flow rate is
inversely proportional to the fluid density. Furthermore squeezing more
viscous content with the same deflection rate requires more energy.