Compact Cap Opening Block for Stable Pressurized Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing caps for containers, especially those with pressurized liquids, tend to return to a closed or semi-closed position after opening, hindering direct access and creating obstacles due to their design, which is not suitable for carbonated water or other pressurized liquids and limits access space.
Innovation Solution
A compact cap and container assembly with an opening block, featuring a base ring and a cap with a hinge arrangement that includes frangible bridges and an extension for stable positioning, allowing the cap to remain open and providing easy access, while maintaining a sealed and safe closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a small hinge arrangement is provided between the cover and the tamper-proof ring, then the cap maintains compact size and tamper-proof functionality, but access space to the mouthpiece is limited and the cover creates obstacles when forced open
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge arrangement is segmented into multiple functional elements: a first hinge portion connecting the cover to the tamper-proof ring, a second hinge portion connecting the ring to the mouthpiece, and an intermediate element (opening block or flexible bridge) between them. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, providing adequate access space while maintaining compact overall size.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate element (opening block or flexible bridge) is introduced between the tamper-proof ring and the mouthpiece. This intermediary component acts as a mediator that decouples the rigid hinge arrangement from the mouthpiece, creating additional access space and eliminating the obstacle problem while maintaining the compact cap design.
2Reliability
If the cover is snap-arranged on the mouthpiece with a tamper-proof ring, then tamper-proof functionality is achieved, but the cover returns to closed position after opening and hinders direct drinking access
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge arrangement is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow the cover to remain in an open position after snapping off the tamper-proof ring. The flexible bridge or opening block maintains a controlled dynamic relationship between the cover and mouthpiece, preventing automatic return to closed position while preserving tamper-proof functionality through the breakable bridge design.
Solution Approach 2:
The tamper-proof mechanism is segmented into distinct functional zones: the cover portion, the tamper-proof ring with breakable bridges, and the intermediate flexible bridge or opening block. This segmentation allows the cover to be removed from the ring while maintaining connection through the flexible element, enabling sustained open position for direct access.
3Reliability
If frangible bridges are used to reveal the first opening, then anti-tampering action is exerted, but the bridges naturally break and return the cap to closed or semi-closed position
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible bridge or opening block serves as an intermediary that maintains the open position stability after the frangible bridges break. This intermediate element decouples the cover from the mouthpiece in a controlled manner, allowing the frangible bridges to break for anti-tampering while the flexible bridge sustains the open configuration for stable access.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical parameters of the hinge arrangement are changed by introducing the flexible bridge or opening block, which alters the stiffness and flexibility characteristics. This parameter change enables the system to transition from a state where bridge breaking returns the cap to closed position to a state where the open position is stabilized through the flexible intermediate element.
4Device complexity
If a compact cap design is used for containers with low internal pressure, then the cap structure remains simple and lightweight, but it is not suitable for carbonated water or pressurized liquids
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible bridge or opening block is designed as a flexible element that can withstand internal pressures up to three bars. This flexible membrane structure provides pressure containment capability while maintaining the overall compact and simple cap design, enabling use with carbonated water and pressurized liquids without requiring a completely redesigned structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A compact cap with an opening block, once opened, for a container comprising a substantially cylindrical mouthpiece of a container, which provides an upper end edge (18) protruding outwardly, the cap comprising: - a base ring (12), for preventing its separation from said mouthpiece (13) of the container, - a protective cap or cover (14) for opening and closing said mouthpiece (13) of the container, - a hinge arrangement (26) which makes said base ring (12) and said cover (14) integral with each other and that can be produced in a single piece by the moulding of plastic material; - a series of frangible bridges (19) which connects a lower edge (20) of the cover (14) with an upper edge (21) of the base ring (12) when said cover (14) is arranged for closing on said ring base and on said mouthpiece (13), - wherein said hinge arrangement (26) comprises a pair of spaced strips or bridges (27) that connect the cover (14) and the base ring (12) and an extension (29) enlarged outwardly which forms an integral part of an annular collar (30) obtained at the lower end of the cover (14) facing said base ring (12), said extension (29) becoming engaged with said mouthpiece when said cover is rotated from a closed position to an open position to create a stable open position of said cover.