Monolithic Beverage Closure with Elastic Thread Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security closure devices for beverage bottles are complex to manufacture and assemble, requiring precise alignment of threads on the cap and bottle, which can lead to deformation and malfunction during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A monolithic piece with a cap and sleeve that can be mounted on the bottle via simple axial movement and snap locking, featuring an internal thread with more starts than the bottle's external thread, allowing for elastic deformation to prevent thread overlap and ensuring proper alignment without pre-orientation, with the deformation masked by the external wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If precise alignment of threads on cap and bottle is required during assembly, then proper threading engagement is achieved, but assembly complexity and difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is pre-oriented relative to the bottle during manufacturing, with the internal thread already positioned to engage the external thread. This preliminary alignment eliminates the need for complex angular rotation and alignment operations during assembly, allowing the cap to be simply screwed onto the bottle in a single axial motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation function and threading engagement are merged into a single integrated feature. The cap's internal thread is both the engagement element and the orientation element, eliminating the need for separate alignment mechanisms or operations. This merging reduces assembly steps while maintaining precise threading engagement.
2Manufacturing precision
If cap and sleeve assembly is angularly rotated during mounting, then proper thread alignment is achieved, but risk of thread deformation and breakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The correct angular orientation of the internal thread relative to the external thread is predetermined during cap manufacturing. The cap is produced with its thread already oriented to match the bottle's thread pattern, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing angular rotation that could cause misalignment, deformation, or breakage during assembly.
3Ease of operation
If complex alignment members and multiple thread configurations are added, then assembly alignment is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment function is merged with the threading engagement feature itself. The internal thread of the cap serves dual purposes: both engaging the bottle's external thread and providing angular orientation. This eliminates the need for separate alignment members, registration features, or complex multi-thread configurations, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal thread is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical engagement, angular orientation, and alignment guidance. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional specialized components, reducing overall device complexity while achieving reliable assembly alignment.
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
The solution provides a reliable, easy-to-use, and economical security closure device that ensures the first opening is evident while maintaining functionality and appearance, as the internal thread can flex to align with the bottle's thread without visible deformation, facilitating easy assembly and use.
Implementation Method 1
the internal thread of the cap portion has a large number of starts and the sleeve is provided with lead-in means mating to corresponding lead-in means on the bottle to angularly orient the cap and the sleeve with respect to the bottle when the cap and the sleeve are axially fitted on the bottle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A security closure device (1) for an alcoholic beverage bottle (2) comprises a monolithic hollow piece (13) made of polymer material and that extends substantially along an axis (X) and formed by a cap portion (21), a sleeve portion (22) and a weakened breaking portion (23) that joins the cap portion (21) and the sleeve portion (22); the cap portion (21) has an internal lateral wall (26) and an external lateral wall (27), coaxial to each other and separated by an annular gap (28); the internal lateral wall (26) is provided with an internal thread (33) to engage an external thread (8) of the bottle (2) and is radially deformable inside the gap (28) as a result of mounting stresses; the external lateral wall (27) masks the deformations of the internal lateral wall (26).