Bottle Cap Retaining Ring Structure for Stable Open Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing caps with a hinge for bottles are complicated to manufacture, require special molds, have thin zones that are difficult to produce, and can prematurely reclose or interfere with the user, posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A cap design with a separation line and incision line that creates deformable connecting bands, allowing the closure element to be stably kept in the open position, preventing premature closure and interference with the neck.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hinge is integrated into the cap using special molds, then the closure element remains connected to the retaining ring, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge function is extracted from the cap body and implemented separately through the connecting bands formed by the incision line. This allows the main cap to be manufactured with standard molds while the hinge functionality is achieved through a simple post-molding cut, separating the connection function from the cap structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The material state is changed from solid (in the molded cap) to partially separated (after incision). The incision line creates flexible connecting bands that allow relative movement between the closure element and retaining ring, providing hinge functionality through geometric configuration rather than integrated molding.
2Ease of operation
If thin zones are created in the cap for hinge formation, then the closure element can rotate, but the manufacturing difficulty increases due to molten material flow issues
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is first molded as a complete solid structure with all features, then the incision line is created afterward to enable rotation. This preliminary molding avoids the difficulty of forming thin zones during injection, as the material is poured in its normal state and then selectively separated to create the hinge action.
3Ease of operation
If the closure element is freely hinged, then it can open easily, but it may prematurely reclose or rotate about the neck causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The joining portion is designed to engage with the neck surface in advance, creating a mechanical stop that prevents over-rotation and accidental closure. This preliminary engagement counteracts the harmful effects before they can occur, ensuring the closure element remains in safe positions during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting bands are positioned asymmetrically with the joining portion creating an uneven distribution of movement constraints. This asymmetric configuration allows easy opening in one direction while providing mechanical interference to prevent unwanted rotation and premature reclosure in other directions.
4Ease of operation
If the separation line is continuous, then the closure element can be completely separated, but the closure element may be thrown away independently of the bottle
Solution Approach 1:
The separation line is segmented rather than continuous, creating discrete connecting bands at specific locations. This segmentation allows the closure element to be removed for opening while maintaining connection points that prevent complete separation and ensure the closure element remains associated with the bottle for proper disposal.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A cap for a container comprises a side wall (2) extending about an axis (Z) and a transversal wall (3) arranged at an end of the side wall (2). A separation line (4) is provided on the side wall (2) for defining: - a retaining ring (5) intended to remain anchored to a neck (18; 218) of the container, and - a closure element (6) which can removably engage the neck (18; 218), so as to open or close the container. The separation line (4) extends about the axis (Z) and is circumferentially interrupted so as to leave a joining portion (8) between the retaining ring (5) and the closing element (6). The cap (1; 201) further has an incision line (21) which extends transversally to the axis (Z) between the separation line (4) and a free edge (16) of the retaining ring (5), so that between the separation line (4) and the incision line (21) two connecting bands (29, 30) are defined, the connecting bands (29, 30) joining the retaining ring (5) to the joining portion (8). The connecting bands (29, 30) have a radial thickness measured in a radial direction and a height (H) measured parallel to the axis (Z). The ratio between the height (H) and the radial thickness of the connecting bands (29, 30) is greater than, or equal to, 1.4 and is less than, or equal to, 6.5.