Anti-rotation Rib and Stop Cam for Cutting Element Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The thin walls of closable opening devices for plastic film containers make the cutting element prone to unintentional movement within the spout, leading to deformation and potential contamination issues, as the cutting element may move upwards or downwards, causing the film to be severed or the device to malfunction, especially when used for food containers.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual anti-rotation device system, comprising an anti-rotation rib and a stop cam, which forms a frictional connection to prevent the cutting element from moving unintentionally, ensuring it remains securely positioned within the spout, combined with a sealing bead to maintain the film's integrity during opening and closing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the wall thickness of the flange is reduced to save energy and reduce welding cycle times, then manufacturing efficiency and energy consumption are improved, but the cutting element becomes prone to unintentional movement and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-rotation device segments the cutting element stabilization function into distinct structural components (rib structure, stop cam) that work independently to prevent rotation and positional movement, allowing the flange to remain thin while maintaining cutting element stability
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-rotation device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the cutting element and the flange-spout assembly, providing rotational and positional constraint without requiring increased flange thickness, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of thin-wall design and cutting element stability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cutting element is made flexible to adapt to container variations, then adaptability is improved, but unintentional movement and deformation occur more easily
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-rotation device applies preliminary counter-action to prevent unwanted rotational and axial movements of the cutting element before they can occur during normal operation, allowing the cutting element to maintain flexibility for container adaptation while preventing harmful movements through pre-applied mechanical constraints
3Ease of operation
If the cutting element moves unintentionally after initial use, then the device becomes easier to operate initially, but contamination risks and malfunction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-rotation device performs preliminary action by establishing mechanical constraints on the cutting element during initial assembly, preventing subsequent unintentional movements that would lead to film severing and contamination, while still allowing the intended initial cutting operation to proceed easily
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively prevents the cutting element from moving unintentionally, maintaining the film's integrity and ensuring proper function of the spout, thereby reducing the risk of contamination and ensuring reliable operation even after initial use.
Implementation Method 1
comprising an anti-rotation rib and a stop cam, which forms a frictional connection to prevent the cutting element from moving unintentionally
Implementation Method 2
The closable opening devices generally comprise a base attached directly to the container or the tubular bag and a screw cap releasably attached to the base for closing a spout in the base. To attach the opening device, a flange of the lower part is permanently attached to the plastic film of the tubular bag by means of ultrasonic welding.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The closeable opening device according to the invention comprises a base (2) in which a cutting element (3) is supported. Driving dogs (42) in the closing screw cap (4) engage with driving dogs (32) in the cutting element (3), so that the cutting element (3) is displaced in the base (2) to the end position upon initial opening. At least one first rotational stop (5, 50) ensures that the cutting element remains in position and neither moves upward in an undesired manner when the screw cap is opened, nor can be displaced downward by any relative displacement of the two parts, thus causing same to fall into the container. The first rotational stop (5) is made of a rib (50) on the inner face of the spout (20), which interacts with a recess in the form of a flat spot (35) on the cutting element (3). A second rotational stop (5) made of a stop cam (52) can additionally be present at the spout end (51) of the inner thread (24) in the spout (20), against which the inlet end (36) of the outer thread (31) on the cutting element (3) is stopped. When using both rotational stops (5), an end position of the cutting element (3) is secured in a form-fit as well as force-fit manner in the base (2).