Capsule Sealing Head with Variable Stiffness Springs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capsule-sealing machines apply a uniform seal around the edges of cans, making it difficult to separate the covering capsule from the can without dispersing it, as users often apply excessive force to remove the tab, leading to contamination risks and recyclability issues.
Innovation Solution
A capsule-sealing machine with a sealing head featuring elastic means of varying stiffness, where higher stiffness springs are used at distal points away from the can opening and lower stiffness springs are used near the opening, creating a stronger seal away from the edge and a weaker seal adjacent to the opening, allowing for controlled detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a uniform seal is applied around the entire perimeter of the can edge, then the capsule adhesion strength is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users cannot easily detach the capsule to access the tab
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing head applies different sealing forces to different zones of the can edge. The first sealing zone (first set of sealing elements) applies a first sealing force, while the second sealing zone (second set of sealing elements) applies a second sealing force that is less than the first sealing force. This creates a strong seal in most areas while maintaining a weak seal near the tab for easy detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing head is divided into multiple independent sealing elements arranged in at least two distinct sets. The first set of sealing elements corresponds to a first sealing zone, and the second set corresponds to a second sealing zone. Each set can apply different sealing forces independently, allowing the seal strength to be segmented across different locations around the can edge.
2Reliability
If a strong uniform seal is applied around the can edge, then the capsule remains firmly attached, but the risk of complete capsule separation and environmental dispersion increases when users apply excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a localized weak sealing zone near the tab opening, the invention provides a controlled failure point. When users apply force to open the can, the capsule detaches cleanly at the weak seal location rather than completely separating from the can, preventing environmental dispersion of capsule material.
Solution Approach 2:
The weak second sealing zone acts as an intermediary or sacrificial bonding region that absorbs the stress of user force. This intermediate zone allows controlled detachment while the stronger first sealing zone maintains reliable attachment in other areas, mediating between the need for strong attachment and safe detachment.
3Ease of manufacture
If elastic means of equal stiffness are used for all circular sectors, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the ability to create differential seal strength zones is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses elastic means with different stiffness characteristics for different sealing zones. The first elastic means (for the first sealing zone) has different stiffness properties than the second elastic means (for the second sealing zone), enabling differential seal strength while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that is still easy to manufacture.
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
This design enhances recyclability by allowing users to detach the capsule more gently, reducing the risk of contamination and ensuring the capsule remains attached during access, while being easy and cost-effective to implement on existing machines.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing head is provided with elastic means of equal stiffness coupled with the individual circular sectors, typically opposing elastic springs, for the axial movement opposed by the circular sectors when they come into contact with the capsule and the can edge area
Implementation Method 2
the machine drive the pusher which pushes a can from the bottom upwards in the direction of the sealing head, whose circular sectors are previously heated to a given temperature by means of electric resistances inside the same head in order to favour a local fusion of the capsule to be applied on a can edge contour
Implementation Method 3
heated to a given temperature by means of electric resistances inside the same head in order to favour a local fusion of the capsule to be applied on a can edge contour
Data Source
AI summary
According to the present disclosure, a system for capsule sealing using an improved sealing head for applying a top to a can is contemplated. The improved sealing head is contemplated as being capable of producing a sealed can having greater adhesion and strength in at least one area of the can edge, and a weaker adhesion in the remaining area of the can edge, in order to simplify opening and to reduce any requirements for the use of non-metallic adhesives.