Cap Construction Foil Cutting and Collection Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cap constructions for containers fail to efficiently remove additives, such as vitamins or drugs, from storage spaces without leaving residue or obstruction, posing safety risks and usability issues due to loose foil fragments.

Innovation Solution

A cap construction featuring a screw cap with a cutting element and support structure that curls and collects the cut foil, ensuring complete removal of additives and preventing loose foil from entering the container, utilizing a mutual screw-thread coupling and a stop means with a recess to contain the cut foil.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a cutting element is used to cut the foil sealing the storage space, then the additive can be dispensed into the container, but the cut foil may become detached and enter the user's mouth or obstruct the opening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadditive dispensingVSAvoidloose foil entering container
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful element (cut foil) is extracted from the dispensing path by directing it into a separate collection space (recess) within the cap construction, preventing it from entering the container or obstructing the opening

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The recess acts as an intermediary space that captures and holds the cut foil, serving as a buffer between the cutting element and the container opening to prevent foil from reaching the user

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the foil is cut for opening the storage space, then the additive can flow into the container, but the foil removal is untidy and additives remain in the storage space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadditive transfer efficiencyVSAvoidadditive remaining in storage space
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The recess is pre-positioned to guide and collect the foil as it is being cut, ensuring that the cutting action automatically directs foil into the collection space rather than allowing it to scatter or remain obstructive

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The foil transitions from a static sealing barrier to a dynamic element that is actively directed into the recess during the cutting process, enabling complete opening of the storage space while capturing the foil

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a stop means with recess is added to collect the foil, then foil safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoil collectionVSAvoidcap construction structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The recess is integrated into the existing cap construction structure, serving dual functions as both a structural component and a foil collection mechanism, thereby minimizing additional complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The recess is nested within the existing cap geometry, utilizing the available internal space of the cap construction to house the foil collection function without adding external complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3286100B1A cap construction with a storage space
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 PONT PACKAGING
  • EP3286100B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3286100B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~5c
  • EP3286100B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

T A cap construction (1) for a container, said cap construction (1) comprising a storage space (7) for dispersing a product into said container, said cap construction (1) comprising a screw cap (3) with a foil (5) for closing said storage space (7); wherein said cap construction (1) furthermore comprises a support structure (2) which is embodied for on the one hand by means of mutual screw-thread coupling same in a rotatable manner with the screw cap (3) and, on the other hand, coupling the cap construction (1) with the container and which is provided with a cutting element (13) for cutting the foil (5). The cap construction (1) is characterized in thatthe cutting element (13) cuts through the foil (5) upon rotating the screw cap (3) with respect to the support structure (2), with the proviso that the support structure (2) comprises a stop means for collecting the foil (5) that was cut by said cutting element (13).