Caps for Containers with Fracturable Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure caps are difficult to remove from containers, requiring two hands and complex manufacturing processes, limiting their use in applications like sporting activities and increasing production costs.
Innovation Solution
A cap design featuring a line of fracturable elements with non-uniform breaking resistance, allowing for easy one-handed opening and simplified manufacturing without the need for complex molds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fracturable elements with uniform breaking resistance are used, then the cap provides secure tamperproof sealing, but the cap requires two hands to open and is difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The fracturable elements are designed with non-uniform breaking resistance, where specific portions have reduced thickness or structural weakness at predetermined locations. This allows the opening mechanism to break at specific points with minimal force while other portions maintain strength for tamperproof sealing, resolving the contradiction between secure sealing and easy opening.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex molds are used for injection molding, then the cap can be manufactured with precise geometric features, but the manufacturing process becomes very complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed as a single-integral piece formed by injection molding, where complex geometric features like the frustoconical side body, retaining element, and fracturable elements are created as one unified structure. This segmentation approach allows precise geometric features to be manufactured without complex multi-step molding processes, simplifying production while maintaining precision.
3Reliability
If the cap is designed for secure engagement with the container neck, then the hermetic seal is maintained, but the cap becomes difficult to remove from the container
Solution Approach 1:
The cap incorporates a frustoconical side body that provides progressive engagement with the container neck. The conical geometry allows the cap to be easily pushed onto the neck for secure engagement while maintaining the ability to be removed by overcoming the frictional hold, balancing hermetic sealing with ease of removal.
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
Enables easy, one-handed opening of containers and reduces production complexity and costs by using fracturable elements with variable circumferential extents and a hinge mechanism, ensuring a hermetic seal while facilitating consumer access.
Implementation Method 1
a line of intended opening defined by fracturable means and interposed between said side body and said closing part, characterised in that said fracturable means has an especial non-uniform breaking resistance
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A cap comprises a side body (10) associable with a neck (2) of a container (3), a closing part (8) associable with an opening (30) of said container (3), and a line of intended opening (15) defined by fracturable means (16) having nonuniform breaking resistance.