Single-Material Closing Cap with Integrated Opening Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current closing caps for containers are complex and expensive due to their intricate geometry and use of multiple materials, making them difficult to manufacture and recycle effectively.

Innovation Solution

A simplified closing cap design featuring an outer shell and inner component made from the same material, with a cam and cam follower mechanism to create a supplying outlet for products, allowing for easy assembly and waste disposal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If closing caps use multiple materials and complex geometry to achieve product containment and opening functionality, then the containment and opening capabilities are improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct containment capabilityVSAvoidcap structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the outer shell and inner component into a single integrated cap structure made from the same material. The inner component is formed as an integral part of the outer shell through a single molding process, eliminating the need for separate materials and complex assembly while maintaining the product containment chamber and opening mechanism functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single-material cap structure performs multiple functions: the outer shell provides structural support and tamper-evident features, the integrated inner component forms the product containment chamber, and the unified structure enables both closing and opening operations. This multi-functionality is achieved within a single homogeneous material structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If closing caps use multiple materials for different components, then the functional requirements are met, but the waste disposal and recycling difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional adaptabilityVSAvoidrecycling ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs homogeneity by constructing the entire cap from a single material type. The outer shell and inner component are both made from the same plastic material, creating a homogeneous structure that can be easily sorted and recycled as a single material stream, eliminating the separation issues associated with multi-material constructions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

Solution Approach 2:

By merging the previously separate materials into a single material system, the cap becomes recyclable as one homogeneous material. The functional requirements previously met by different materials are now achieved through a single material's versatile properties, enabling easy waste disposal and recycling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If closing caps use complex inner components with intricate geometry, then the product containment and opening mechanisms are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening mechanism functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cap into the outer shell and inner component as distinct functional zones within a single molded piece. The inner component is formed with its specific geometry for product containment and opening functionality, but it is created as an integral feature of the outer shell through a single molding operation, avoiding the cost of separate manufacturing and assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The manufacturing processes for the outer shell and inner component are merged into a single injection molding operation. The complex geometry of the inner component is formed simultaneously with the outer shell in one manufacturing step, eliminating multiple production steps, tooling requirements, and assembly operations, thereby reducing overall manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If closing caps use multiple materials for different components, then the specific functional requirements are met, but the assembly and disassembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional performanceVSAvoidassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The outer shell and inner component are merged into a single molded unit, eliminating the need for assembly operations. The cap is produced as one complete component ready for use, and during opening, the integrated design allows the components to separate cleanly along pre-formed parting lines without requiring complex disassembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12122575B2Closing cap for a container

Publication Date: 2024.10.22 SACMI COOPERATIVA MECCANICI IMOLA SOC COOP ARL

AI summary

A closing cap (1) for a container (2) includes an outer shell (3) having a longitudinal axis (X). The outer shell (3) comprises a lateral wall (301) which extends about the axis (X) and has a shape which is tubular and coaxial with the axis (X). An end wall (302; 317) closes the lateral wall (301) at one end and delimits a concavity. The lateral wall (301) is internally provided with a coupling structure (303) configured for removably coupling the cap (1) to a neck (201) of the container (2). An inner component (4; 4′) includes a closing element provided with an inner portion (401; 401′) and an outer flange (402). The closing cap (1) also comprises a containment chamber (5) and an opening promoting assembly (6).