Thermoformed Beverage Can Cap With Rotating Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a low-cost, unibody, thermoformed beverage can cap that can selectively cover the upper portion of a beverage can and control beverage flow, while preventing contaminants from entering the can.
Innovation Solution
The development of three alternative beverage can caps, each featuring a unique design: the first with a rotatable cap and cap-turning nubs, the second with a cap plug for sealing, and the third with a resilient beverage-letting mechanism, all of which are attachable to the upper can portion and made from low-cost, unibody thermoplastic materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a traditional multi-part beverage can cap is used, then the cap can provide sealing and flow control functions, but the manufacturing cost and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cap components (skirt, rim, plate, and closure elements) into a single integrated thermoplastic cap structure. This unification reduces the number of parts, simplifies assembly, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining all necessary functions including sealing, flow control, and contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated cap design performs multiple functions simultaneously: the skirt provides sealing against the can rim, the plate covers the beverage-letting aperture, and built-in flow control mechanisms regulate beverage flow. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, reducing both complexity and cost.
2Ease of operation
If a rotatable cap design is implemented, then the user can selectively cover the beverage-letting aperture, but the cap requires additional structural elements for rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The cap incorporates a rotatable plate mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment between open and closed positions. The plate can rotate to selectively cover or expose the beverage-letting aperture, providing user control while maintaining a relatively simple integrated structure through the use of friction-fit or snap-fit connections.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the lower cap skirt extends fully down the can neck, then the cap provides complete coverage, but sharp edges may contact the user's hands during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The cap skirt design incorporates localized modifications at critical contact points, such as rounded edges or chamfered surfaces, while maintaining the overall extended shape for complete coverage. This selective modification eliminates sharp edges that could harm users during rotation without compromising the skirt's protective coverage function.
4Ease of operation
If a resilient beverage-letting mechanism is added, then the cap can control beverage flow, but the cap structure and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cap incorporates a resilient mechanism that changes the physical state or properties of the beverage flow path. This could involve elastic deformation of a membrane or flexible structure that opens or closes the flow path in response to pressure changes, providing automatic flow control without complex mechanical components.
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage can cap is outfitted upon an upper portion of a beverage can for enabling a user to selectively cover the upper portion. The upper can portion has an upper can rim and a can capping plate. The beverage can cap essentially includes an upper cap rim, a cap plate centrally located relative to the cap rim, and a cap opening.The beverage can cap is attachable to the upper can portion of the beverage can such that the upper cap rim receives the upper can rim and the cap plate extends in parallel relation to the can capping plate. In certain embodiments, the beverage can cap is rotatable about a cap axis of rotation for selectively positioning the cap plate in superior adjacency to a beverage-letting aperture formable in the can capping plate for selectively covering the beverage-letting aperture with a portion of the cap plate.