{"id":1348,"date":"2026-04-07T09:45:35","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T09:45:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/?p=1348"},"modified":"2026-04-08T12:44:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T12:44:09","slug":"cluster-3-physical-experiments-testing-the-detergent-bottle-cap-connection-system-under-tension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/?p=1348","title":{"rendered":"Cluster 3: Physical Experiments \u2014 Testing the Detergent Bottle Cap Connection System Under Tension"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"528\" src=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Start-image-1024x528.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1372\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Start-image-1024x528.png 1024w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Start-image-300x155.png 300w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Start-image-768x396.png 768w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Start-image-1536x791.png 1536w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Start-image.png 2030w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before proceeding with the construction of a detergent flex-node system, we conducted a series of physical experiments to evaluate which <a href=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/?p=1029\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/?p=1029\">parameters<\/a> perform best under tensile forces. The goal was to identify the most effective combination of cone geometry and pipe cut configuration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Test Setup<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the cone geometry, we preselected two angles:&nbsp;<strong>5\u00b0 and 7.5\u00b0<\/strong>, each in two sizes (20mm, and 26mm length). This resulted in four different cone variations.<br>For the pipes, we defined four cutting configurations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>4 cuts \u00d7 15 mm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>4 cuts \u00d7 20 mm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6 cuts \u00d7 15 mm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6 cuts \u00d7 20 mm<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"276\" src=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Cone-and-Pipe-Cut-Variations-1024x276.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1351\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Cone-and-Pipe-Cut-Variations-1024x276.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Cone-and-Pipe-Cut-Variations-300x81.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Cone-and-Pipe-Cut-Variations-768x207.jpg 768w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Cone-and-Pipe-Cut-Variations.jpg 1345w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Fig.01: Preselected Cones and Pipes for the tension tests<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each test combined one cone with one pipe configuration, in total 16 constellations.&nbsp;<br>To simulate tensile load, a string was wrapped around the cone and attached to a bucket. The bucket was gradually filled with weight, starting with sand (~675 g), and incrementally increased using:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>sand packages (200 g each)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a Klean Kanteen bottle (1 kg)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>V\u00f6slauer bottles (1.5 kg)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"678\" height=\"440\" src=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Weights-for-test.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1353\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5409148132605959;width:384px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Weights-for-test.jpg 678w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Weights-for-test-300x195.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Fig.02: Applied weights used for tension loading<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The cone was fully pressed into the cut pipe and held vertically, with the cone facing downward. Weight was added until the cone slipped out of the pipe. The maximum load sustained before slipping was recorded as the performance indicator.<br>To ensure consistency, a new pipe was used for each test, avoiding material fatigue or deformation from previous trials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"2560\" data-id=\"1368\" src=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2857-edited-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1368\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2857-edited-scaled.jpeg 1440w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2857-edited-169x300.jpeg 169w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2857-edited-576x1024.jpeg 576w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2857-edited-768x1365.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2857-edited-864x1536.jpeg 864w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2857-edited-1152x2048.jpeg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"2560\" data-id=\"1369\" src=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2858-edited-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1369\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2858-edited-scaled.jpeg 1440w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2858-edited-169x300.jpeg 169w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2858-edited-576x1024.jpeg 576w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2858-edited-768x1365.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2858-edited-864x1536.jpeg 864w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2858-edited-1152x2048.jpeg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"2560\" data-id=\"1370\" src=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2863-edited-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2863-edited-scaled.jpeg 1440w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2863-edited-169x300.jpeg 169w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2863-edited-576x1024.jpeg 576w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2863-edited-768x1365.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2863-edited-864x1536.jpeg 864w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2863-edited-1152x2048.jpeg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Fig.03: Experimental sequence; weights added from left to right<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An overview of all tested combinations and their respective load capacities is summarized in the table below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"224\" src=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Tension-tests-list-1024x224.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Tension-tests-list-1024x224.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Tension-tests-list-300x66.jpg 300w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Tension-tests-list-768x168.jpg 768w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Tension-tests-list-1536x336.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Tension-tests-list.jpg 1758w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Fig.04: Test results of all tested configurations and their load capacities<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Overall, the experiments showed that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>5\u00b0 cones perform better than 7.5\u00b0 cones<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The most effective pipe configuration is 4 cuts with 15 mm length<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This combination demonstrated the highest resistance under tension.<br>This setup was used for the first structural test: a hexagonal arrangement consisting of six nodes and six connecting pipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"2560\" data-id=\"1359\" src=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2943-edited-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2943-edited-scaled.jpeg 1440w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2943-edited-169x300.jpeg 169w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2943-edited-576x1024.jpeg 576w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2943-edited-768x1365.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2943-edited-864x1536.jpeg 864w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2943-edited-1152x2048.jpeg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"2560\" data-id=\"1358\" src=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2944-edited-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1358\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2944-edited-scaled.jpeg 1440w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2944-edited-169x300.jpeg 169w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2944-edited-576x1024.jpeg 576w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2944-edited-768x1366.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2944-edited-864x1536.jpeg 864w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2944-edited-1152x2048.jpeg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"2560\" data-id=\"1360\" src=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2945-edited-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2945-edited-scaled.jpeg 1440w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2945-edited-169x300.jpeg 169w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2945-edited-576x1024.jpeg 576w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2945-edited-768x1365.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2945-edited-864x1536.jpeg 864w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2945-edited-1152x2048.jpeg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Fig.05: Building a hexagonal structure using the best-performing connection; testing its stability<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Testing Hexagonal Structure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the assembly of the hexagonal structure, it quickly became obvious that the current connection system is insufficient for structural applications.<br>The main issues observed were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The bottle caps are too thin and flexible<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Despite fitting well, the pipes still have significant play within the caps<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This results in overall instability of the structure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"1363\" src=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2950-576x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1363\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2950-576x1024.jpeg 576w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2950-169x300.jpeg 169w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2950-768x1365.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2950-864x1536.jpeg 864w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2950-1152x2048.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2950-scaled.jpeg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"1361\" src=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2951-576x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2951-576x1024.jpeg 576w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2951-169x300.jpeg 169w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2951-768x1365.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2951-864x1536.jpeg 864w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2951-1152x2048.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2951-scaled.jpeg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"1362\" src=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2952-576x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1362\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2952-576x1024.jpeg 576w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2952-169x300.jpeg 169w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2952-768x1365.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2952-864x1536.jpeg 864w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2952-1152x2048.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/inventorics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_2952-scaled.jpeg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Fig.06: Application of tension strings; close-up showing pipe movement and softness of the connection<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We attempted to stabilize the system by introducing tension cables within the hexagon, connecting opposite nodes. While this slightly improved rigidity, the structure remained unstable. The primary failure mechanism is caused by&nbsp;bending moments at the cap connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although reusing bottle caps initially appeared promising, the experiments clearly show that they are&nbsp;too weak for structural use&nbsp;in their current form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a result, the next step is to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/?p=1321\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/?p=1321\">redesign the connection element<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Develop a new cap geometry<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Integrate a defined opening for the pipe<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increase connection length to better fix the pipe position<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Before proceeding with the construction of a detergent flex-node system, we conducted a series of physical experiments to evaluate which parameters perform best under tensile forces. The goal was to identify the most effective combination of cone geometry and pipe cut configuration.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[39,45,42],"class_list":["post-1348","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-physical-studies","tag-cluster-3","tag-detergent-bottle","tag-plastic"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1348","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1348"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1348\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1400,"href":"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1348\/revisions\/1400"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1348"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1348"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inventorics.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1348"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}