Manual Capper Jaw Guide Mechanism for Uniform Crown Cap Pressure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current capper machines for crown caps suffer from play and uncontrolled deformation of jaws, leading to non-uniform capping pressure and reduced precision, as well as complex and costly construction, which limits their ability to adapt to different bottle necks.
Innovation Solution
A manual capper design featuring jaws with guide means that prevent rotation or deformation, reducing play and using a crescent-shaped element for better neck encirclement, with a connecting member and counter-guide means to enhance mechanical resistance and adaptability to various bottle sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If connecting rods and rotation hinges are used to connect handlebars to jaws, then the capper can achieve jaw closure function, but play is generated between components over time and construction becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the connecting rods and rotation hinges from the mechanism. Instead of using separate connecting components, the handlebars are directly connected to the jaws through a simplified linkage where the jaw itself acts as part of the actuation mechanism, eliminating the need for intermediate connecting elements and their associated hinges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of the connecting rod and the jaw into a more integrated structure. The jaw is directly linked to the handlebar actuation mechanism, merging the closure function with the jaw structure itself, thereby reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall construction.
2Ease of operation
If connecting rods with rotation hinges are used, then jaw closure is achieved, but play is generated between handlebars and jaws over time
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the rotation hinges and connecting rods, the patent eliminates the sources of play that develop over time in hinged connections. The direct linkage between handlebars and jaws creates a more rigid connection that maintains precision throughout the tool's operational life.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the jaw is allowed to rotate and deform, then the capper can adapt to different bottle necks, but capping pressure becomes non-uniform and precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates guide means that pre-constrain the jaw's movement path before the capping action occurs. The guide means, consisting of guide surfaces and guide slots, establish the correct orientation and position of the jaw in advance, preventing rotation and deformation during the actual capping process while maintaining adaptability to different bottle neck dimensions.
4Manufacturing precision
If guide means are added to prevent jaw rotation and deformation, then capping pressure uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide means are implemented as localized guide surfaces and guide slots integrated into the existing jaw and support structure. Rather than adding complex external guiding mechanisms, the patent incorporates guiding functionality into specific local areas of the existing components, minimizing additional complexity while achieving the desired precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A manual capper for crown caps, of the type including a main support, two jaws, arranged symmetrically to the main support, each including a lower portion configured to encircle the neck of the bottle to be capped and an upper portion connectable to handlebars of the lever type, the actuation of which generates the opening and/or closure of the jaws, said capper wherein an actuation thereof in opening and/or in closure induces at least one simultaneous and linear displacement of the upper portion and of a portion of the handlebars, and wherein after the closure of the jaws, means suitable to keep the lower portion movable in a direction parallel to the vertical capping axis operate.