Bottle Closing Assembly Cage Stopper Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bottle closing systems are unstable and require multiple stages for sealing, often resulting in incorrect pressure application and instability during handling and storage due to misalignment and oversized components.

Innovation Solution

A preassembled closing assembly with a cage and stopper configuration that allows for direct pressure application onto the bottle mouth, utilizing an elastic retaining element and engagement mechanisms to ensure secure sealing in a single operation, where the cage's annular relief engages with the bottle collar before the stopper, providing stability and alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the stopper is partially inserted inside the bottle mouth before mounting other components, then the closing assembly can be assembled, but the stopper is not stable and misaligned with the bottle axis, causing instability and incorrect pressure application

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosing assembly assemblyVSAvoidstopper alignment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper is pre-mounted on the cage assembly with alignment features (protrusions and recesses) that ensure proper positioning before the cage is applied to the bottle. This preliminary alignment action prevents misalignment during the closing operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cage acts as an intermediary component between the stopper and the bottle, providing structural support and alignment features. The cage's protrusions and recesses mediate the alignment between the stopper and bottle axis, ensuring stable positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If sealing is performed in two separate and successive stages, then the bottle can be sealed, but the process is complex and the closing assembly diameter is greater than the bottle body, creating instability during handling and transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidclosing process stages
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the sealing function and the stabilization function into a single integrated closing assembly. The annular relief on the cage combines both sealing action and alignment stabilization, allowing the assembly to be applied in one operation without multiple stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cage component performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the stopper, ensures alignment through protrusions and recesses, creates the seal against the bottle mouth, and stabilizes the assembly during handling. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sealing stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the closing assembly diameter is greater than the bottle body diameter, then sealing can be achieved, but major problems of instability occur during labelling, storage and transport on high-speed production lines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidhandling stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The closing assembly is designed with localized contact features: the annular relief contacts only the mouth region of the bottle, and the protrusions contact only the collar. This localized contact provides sufficient sealing and alignment without requiring the entire assembly to be larger than the bottle body, maintaining stability during handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 enables a simple, reliable, and stable sealing process in a single operation, reducing instability during handling and storage, and is compatible with existing machinery with minimal modifications, allowing for efficient use on high-speed production lines.

Implementation Method 1

said inner surface comprises an elastic retaining element for retaining the closing stopper in position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the annular relief presses elastically against a side surface of the bottle collar

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic pressure: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

a pressure directed downwards is exerted on the closing assembly such that the annular relief of the cage engages with the bottom surface of the collar and the closing assembly remains locked to the bottle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3157833B1Method for closing bottle and associated closed bottle
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 ALTERGON SA
  • EP3157833B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3157833B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3157833B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for sealingly closing a bottle (1) is described, the method comprising the steps of: providing a cage (1009, a closing stopper (200) and a capsule (300); joining the stopper to the cage and the cage to the capsule (300), obtaining a preassembled closing assembly; aligning the closing assembly on the mouth of the bottle and exerting a pressure so as to sealingly close the bottle, wherein the annular relief of the cage (100) comes into contact with the bottle before the stopper comes into contact with the bottle.