Breakable Bridge Cap for Reliable Container Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container stopper devices, particularly those for medicine bottles, face issues with expensive multipartite structures, risk of metal caps breaking, and unreliable sealing mechanisms that complicate access to the contents.
Innovation Solution
A stopper device featuring a circular elastomer stopper and a synthetic cap with breakable bridges, where the cap is designed with locking lugs and a ring that securely fits around the neck without obstructing access, allowing easy removal by breaking the bridges, ensuring reliable sealing and durable immobilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal cap is used to seal the container, then the seal against gases, liquids and bacteria is improved, but the cap risks breaking and requires dismantling tools for removal
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the durable metal cap with a disposable plastic cap that is designed to be broken and discarded after use. The cap includes breakable bridges connecting the ring to the lid, allowing easy removal by breaking these bridges with fingers, eliminating the need for dismantling tools while maintaining sealing reliability during storage.
2Ease of operation
If a plastic cap with breakable bridges is used, then the cap becomes easier to remove, but the internal diameter may cause the stopper to jam
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating a specific geometric relationship between different parts of the cap. The ring has a minimum internal diameter strictly greater than the maximum diameter of the stopper, while the breakable bridges are positioned on a circumference with internal diameter strictly greater than the stopper's maximum diameter. This localized dimensional design ensures the stopper can be inserted without jamming while maintaining easy removal capability.
3Reliability
If the lower part of the capsule is expanded radially to be immobilized on the neck, then the cap is secured, but the process becomes imprecise and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by pre-forming the ring with a minimum internal diameter strictly greater than the maximum diameter of the stopper before assembly. This preliminary dimensional design eliminates the need for radial expansion during assembly, ensuring precise and reliable positioning of the cap on the neck without requiring imprecise expansion processes.
4Reliability
If a multipartite structure is used for the cap, then the sealing function is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the ring and lid into a single one-piece plastic component connected by breakable bridges, eliminating the need for separate metal cap, plastic liner, and sealing components. This unified structure maintains the sealing function through the integrated design while significantly reducing manufacturing cost by eliminating multiple parts and assembly steps.
Data Source
Figure 1~14
Figure 3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a stopping device (20) for a container (1), comprising a circular stopper (21) for closing the neck of the container and a cap (24) consisting of a synthetic material, that can cover both the neck and the stopper positioned in the neck. Said cap comprises a cover (26) and a ring (25) that is suitable for surrounding the stopper (21) and the neck when mounted and provided with means (253, 255) for locking onto the neck. The ring (25) has a minimum inner diameter (d251) that must be larger than the maximum diameter (D21) of the stopper (21), and the ring and the cover are produced as a single component and connected by breakable bridges (27) distributed over a circumference of the ring with an inner diameter that is larger than, or equal to, the maximum diameter of the stopper. The locking means comprise first locking tabs (253) formed on the inside of the ring (25), facing windows (252) that are radially open towards the outside, and second locking tabs (255) facing a closed part (254). Each second tab (255) is formed between two first tabs, facing a strip of material (254) separating windows (252).