Captive Closing Cap Segmented Breaking Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing captive closing caps for containers often interfere with pouring and drinking due to their design, as they either protrude into the liquid stream or are in the way when unscrewed, and fail to indicate clearly if the container's seal has been broken.
Innovation Solution
A closing cap with predetermined breaking elements of different tear strengths that tear in a defined manner upon unscrewing, allowing the cap to remain captive on the container without obstructing pouring and enabling manual adjustment to avoid interference during drinking, while indicating if the seal is intact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the threaded part is retained on the container with a short tether after unscrewing, then the cap indicates clearly that it has been unscrewed, but the threaded part is in an interfering position for the user when drinking from the container
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining connection is segmented into multiple breaking elements with different tear strengths. The first breaking element has lower tear strength and breaks first during unscrewing to provide clear indication, while the second breaking element has higher tear strength and remains intact to allow the threaded part to be positioned away from the container neck for comfortable drinking.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the retaining connection have different local qualities in terms of tear strength. The first breaking element is designed with lower tear strength (e.g., thinner cross-section) to break easily and indicate unscrewing, while the second breaking element has higher tear strength (e.g., thicker cross-section) to remain intact and enable repositioning for drinking comfort.
2Reliability
If the threaded part is retained captive on the container after unscreving, then the cap closes the pouring opening, but the threaded part protrudes into the liquid stream and causes liquid to be spilled
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining connection transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic system with controlled breaking elements. After unscrewing, the first breaking element breaks to allow the threaded part to move away from the container neck, while the second breaking element remains intact to maintain captive connection. This dynamic behavior enables the threaded part to be repositioned to avoid interfering with the pouring stream while maintaining the closing function.
3Ease of manufacture
If the predetermined breaking elements have the same tear strength, then the connection is simple to manufacture, but the breaking behavior is undefined and the retaining strip position cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The breaking elements are designed with different local qualities in terms of cross-sectional area and tear strength. The first breaking element has a smaller cross-sectional area and lower tear strength, while the second breaking element has a larger cross-sectional area and higher tear strength. This deliberate differentiation ensures defined breaking behavior where the first element breaks first during unscrewing, providing clear indication while allowing the second element to remain intact for repositioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A closing cap for closing a container comprises a cylindrical threaded part having an open edge and an internal screw thread, which can interact with an external screw thread of the container neck. A tamper-proof strip is configured to be retained on an annular protrusion formed on the container neck. A retaining strip has a first and a second end and a first and a second edge. The first end is fixedly connected to the open edge of the threaded part, and the second end is fixedly connected to the tamper-proof strip. The first edge is detachably connected to the open edge of the threaded part by a predetermined breaking element, and the second edge is detachably connected to the tamper-proof strip by a second predetermined breaking element. The first predetermined breaking element and the second predetermined breaking element have different tensile strengths or tear strengths.