Cap Assembly With Expander Actuator for Leak-Proof Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable container caps are inconvenient to open and close, have limited service life due to poor sealing, and often require auxiliary tools, leading to leakage and operational difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A cap assembly featuring an expander actuator and seal that expand horizontally upon activation, allowing for easy opening and closing with intuitive operation, and providing durable, leak-proof sealing without the need for additional tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a threaded cap is used, then the cap can be securely closed, but it requires cumbersome rotation for opening and closing
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is divided into a cap body and a separate closure member that can be independently operated. The closure member segments the sealing function from the opening/closing operation, allowing the main cap body to remain stationary while only the closure member needs to be manipulated for opening and closing.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure member is designed to dynamically transition between engaged and disengaged states with simple linear motion rather than rotational movement. The spring mechanism provides dynamic force to automatically engage the closure member when the cap is assembled and to facilitate easy release when opening is required.
2Ease of operation
If a solid rubber cap is used, then the cap can be easily opened, but it requires auxiliary tools and has limited service life
Solution Approach 1:
The closure member incorporates a rounded, finger-friendly geometry that allows direct manual manipulation without tools. The curved surfaces of the closure member engage with corresponding features on the cap body, providing mechanical advantage for easy opening while maintaining structural integrity for repeated use.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded closure member dynamically adjusts to engagement and disengagement forces, providing automatic seating when closed and easy release when opened. This dynamic mechanism eliminates the need for auxiliary tools while maintaining reliable sealing through consistent engagement force.
3Ease of operation
If a rubber cap with easy opening is used, then the opening operation is simple, but it provides poor sealing and has limited service life
Solution Approach 1:
The closure member acts as an intermediary between the user's manual operation and the sealing interface. It transfers and amplifies the user's opening force through its leveraged geometry while maintaining constant engagement pressure on the sealing surface, ensuring both easy operation and reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism provides dynamic force multiplication during the opening operation, allowing the user to apply minimal force to achieve cap opening. During closed operation, the spring maintains consistent sealing pressure, ensuring reliable leakage prevention throughout the service life of the cap.
4Duration of action of moving object
If a cap requiring repeated opening and closing is used, then it needs durability, but known caps have limited service life due to incapability of repeated operation
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded closure member is designed to dynamically accommodate repeated engagement and disengagement cycles. The spring mechanism absorbs operational stresses and maintains consistent engagement force throughout the service life, enabling thousands of opening and closing operations without degradation of sealing performance or operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation of the closure member from the cap body allows independent optimization of each component for durability. The closure member can be manufactured from wear-resistant materials and designed with reinforced engagement features that withstand repeated operational cycles, while the cap body maintains its structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are embodiments of containers, caps, sealing assemblies, and associated components. In one embodiments, a sealing assembly can include an expander actuator operatively coupled to an expander, which expander is operatively coupled to a seal. In a locking state, the expander actuator is configured to cause the expander to expand horizontally against the seal. The expansion of the seal against a shoulder and/or a neck of a container provides a locking, leak-proof seal. In an opening state, the expander is configured to provide an upward movement of the expander actuator, allowing the expander to return to its unexpanded form, which in turn causes the seal to return to its unexpanded form. When the seal is in its unexpanded form, the sealing assembly (along with an associated cap) can be pulled away from the container body.