Container Closing Cap with Incised Engagement Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing caps with hinges for bottles are complex and costly to manufacture due to the need for special molds and can inadvertently allow the closing element to fall during pouring, leading to undesired splashes or improper disposal.
Innovation Solution
A cap design featuring a retaining ring with an engagement element and incision lines that allow for stable locking and deformation, preventing the closing element from falling and simplifying production by using traditional molds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hinge is integrated into the cap body using special molds, then the closing element remains connected to the retaining ring, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is divided into two separate components: a retaining ring and a closing element. These components are connected through a tear line with breakable bridges that allow separation upon opening. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex integrated hinges while maintaining the functional connection during closed state.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge function is extracted from the cap body and replaced by a separate connection mechanism using the tear line and breakable bridges. This allows the closing element to remain connected during normal use while enabling easy separation when needed, avoiding the need for complex molded hinges.
2Ease of operation
If the cap is opened for the first time, then the cup-shaped body separates from the security ring, but the closing element may be thrown away independently while the bottle with security ring should be disposed of together
Solution Approach 1:
The tear line with breakable bridges is pre-configured to break during the first opening operation. This preliminary design ensures that after opening, the closing element remains physically attached to the security ring through the broken tear line remnants, preventing independent disposal and ensuring proper waste sorting.
3Adaptability or versatility
If incision lines are added to allow deformability, then the engagement element can pass beyond the locking ring and deform, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Incision lines are added only in specific localized areas of the engagement element where deformability is needed, rather than throughout the entire component. This allows controlled deformation at the incision locations while maintaining structural integrity elsewhere, reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement element's physical parameters are changed by introducing incision lines that alter its stiffness and deformability characteristics. This allows the element to transition from a rigid state during normal operation to a deformable state when needed, enabling it to pass beyond the locking ring.
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 cap design ensures the closing element remains securely locked in the open position, preventing accidental disposal and simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need for special molds, while maintaining functionality and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
the first incision line and the second incision line being configured to allow deformability at least of the connecting portion and of a region of the engagement element
Data Source
AI summary
A closing cap for a container includes a separating line on a lateral wall forming a retaining ring, configured to remain anchored to a neck of the container and extending up to a free edge. A closing element is engageable with the neck, to open or close the container. The separating line is circumferentially interrupted to define in the lateral wall a joining zone, extending at a first angle, in which the retaining ring and the closing element are joined. An engagement element of the retaining ring is bent when the cap is closed. First and second incision lines allow deformability of a connecting portion and a region of the engagement element extending at a second angle, so that when first opening the closing element, the region goes beyond the locking ring and deforms to rest on the locking ring in an extended configuration.