Closure Assembly with Locking Skirt for Aerosol Containers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional protective caps for containers, such as aerosol cans, are difficult for individuals with limited grip strength or joint pain to remove and reattach, and lack features to prevent accidental opening or tampering.
Innovation Solution
A closure assembly with a skirt and cap that uses external and internal helical threads, along with optional lock features like frangible materials, removable tabs, and tamper-resistant rings to facilitate easy attachment and detachment while preventing accidental opening, including features like a twist knob and elastomeric materials for secure sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional protective caps are designed to press-fit against the container, then the cap can cover the dispensing valve, but the cap becomes difficult to remove and reattach for users with limited grip strength or joint pain
Solution Approach 1:
The closure assembly is divided into separate components: a skirt that remains on the container and a cap that can be easily removed and reattached. The skirt includes a first coupler that engages with a second coupler on the cap, creating a modular system that improves ease of operation while maintaining secure coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The skirt acts as an intermediary component between the container and the cap. It includes a first coupler that interfaces with the second coupler on the cap, facilitating easy attachment and detachment while ensuring reliable sealing. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by providing both secure connection and user-friendly operation.
2Ease of operation
If the cap is made easily removable, then users with limited dexterity can access the dispensing mechanism, but the risk of accidental cap loss or misplacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism between the skirt and cap is designed to be dynamic, allowing easy attachment and detachment when intended, while providing automatic engagement that prevents accidental loss. The couplers engage securely when brought together but can be easily separated when deliberately manipulated, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and retention reliability.
3Ease of operation
If no lock feature is included, then the cap can be easily removed and reattached, but accidental opening or tampering cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The lock feature is engaged by default in a preliminary state, requiring deliberate user action to disengage before the cap can be removed. This preliminary locking action prevents accidental opening while allowing intentional removal and reattachment, thus maintaining ease of operation for legitimate use while preventing harmful accidental access.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a lock feature is added to prevent accidental opening, then safety is improved, but the complexity of the closure assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock feature is merged with the existing coupler structure of the skirt and cap. The lock mechanism integrates with the first and second couplers, combining the sealing function and the safety locking function into a unified assembly. This merging approach provides tamper prevention without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.
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
The closure assembly allows for easy access to the dispensing mechanism by users with limited dexterity and prevents accidental opening or tampering, ensuring safe and repeated use of the container contents.
Implementation Method 1
the frangible material inhibits the detachment of the first and second couplers prior to rupture of the frangible material
Implementation Method 2
the first coupler comprises external helical threads and the second coupler comprise internal helical threads
Implementation Method 3
an elastomeric material for secure sealing
Data Source
AI summary
The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a closure assembly for use with a container (e.g., an aerosol can). The closure assembly includes a skirt and a protective cap. In some embodiments, a lock feature temporarily attaches the protective cap to the container and increases a force required for a user to remove the protective cap. In some embodiments, an inner lock opening of the skirt is configured to be registered with an outer lock opening to receive a locking element therethrough. In some embodiments, a set screw is positioned in the skirt to selectively allow or inhibit relative rotation between the skirt and the protective cap. In some embodiments, a biasing element selectively allows or inhibits engagement of threads of the protective cap with the threads of the skirt depending upon application of an axial force to overcome a biasing force of the biasing element.