Cap Nozzle Assembly Helical Wing Visual Direction Cues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cap and nozzle assemblies for containers with curable products, such as adhesives, lack visual indications for correct positioning and direction of removal, leading to difficulties in separating the cap and nozzle, especially when fouled by cured product, which can result in inadvertent removal of the nozzle along with the cap, particularly in aluminum tubes.
Innovation Solution
A cap and nozzle assembly featuring elongate, angularly spaced wing portions with a helical profile for visual indication of twisting direction and a locking mechanism with interrupted screw threads and inclined surfaces to securely attach the cap to the nozzle, preventing inadvertent removal of the nozzle during cap removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cap and nozzle assembly is designed with strong engagement to prevent separation, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in separating cap and nozzle when fouled by cured product
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement mechanism is segmented into multiple independent features: inclined surfaces for twisting force, interrupted screw threads for incremental engagement, and lugs for positioning. This segmentation allows the cap to be easily twisted off while maintaining secure attachment, resolving the contradiction between strong engagement and ease of removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap and nozzle features are designed with asymmetric geometries where the inclined surfaces and interrupted screw threads create a directional engagement pattern. This asymmetry enables easy twisting in one direction while preventing unintended separation, improving both reliability and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If visual indications are added to show correct positioning and removal direction, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wing portions are designed with asymmetric, angularly spaced geometries that inherently indicate the correct positioning and removal direction. The non-uniform angular spacing creates visual cues that guide the user without requiring additional markings or complex indicators, thus improving ease of operation while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The helical profile of the wing portions incorporates curved surfaces that provide visual indication of the twisting direction. The continuous curved geometry allows users to intuitively understand the removal motion required, adding visual guidance without requiring separate indicator components.
3Ease of manufacture
If interrupted screw threads are used for engagement, then ease of manufacture is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to potential misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The interrupted screw threads are segmented into discrete engagement zones rather than continuous threads. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing with standard machining operations while the interrupted nature of the threads prevents misalignment issues, as each segment can be independently positioned. The lugs provide additional positioning references to ensure precise alignment during assembly.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2g
Figure 3a~3g
AI summary
A cap (2) for overfitting a nozzle (3) having an elongate nozzle body. The cap is for receiving and overfitting the nozzle body of the nozzle. The cap has three elongate spaced apart wing portions (30) each having a wing profile each forming part of the outside surface of the cap. The nozzle has matching depressions (59), which come into register with the concave surfaces of the cap. The assembly of cap over nozzle is suitable as a closure for a container holding curable product such as adhesive. A locking ring (81) may be provided on the tube for locking a nozzle to the tube (80).