Closure With Breakable Wall And Opposing Threads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closures for liquid products require manual intervention to remove the safety seal after the first opening, risking contamination and contact between the seal and the product.
Innovation Solution
A screw cap closure system with a breakable circular wall and internal screw threads that automatically lift and detach the safety seal from the sleeve upon opening, preventing manual contact and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a breakable wall with holding tab is used to remove the safety seal, then the seal can be completely extracted from the recipient, but manual intervention is still required which risks contamination of the liquid product
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system performs the safety seal removal automatically through the screwing motion itself. The inner screw thread engaged with the breakable wall's screw thread causes the wall to lift and detach automatically as the cap is unscrewed, eliminating the need for manual intervention to remove the seal while preventing contamination risk
Solution Approach 2:
The breakable wall is pre-positioned and pre-configured with a screw thread that will automatically detach it from the recipient during the opening process. The wall is designed to break away at a predetermined location and be automatically removed through the mechanical action of unscrewing the cap, before the user needs to access the liquid product
2Reliability
If the safety seal remains fixed to the recipient opening, then product integrity is maintained, but manual removal is required which increases contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically removes the safety seal through the screwing mechanism. The inner screw thread on the breakable wall engages with the corresponding thread on the cap, causing the wall to lift and detach automatically when the cap is unscrewed, eliminating manual removal while maintaining product integrity until opening
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple aluminium film safety seal is used, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but manual breaking and extraction is required which risks contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The safety seal system is segmented into multiple functional components: the aluminium film for sealing, the breakable wall for automatic detachment, and the screw thread mechanism for automated removal. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively eliminating manual intervention and contamination risk
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the safety seal function with the cap opening mechanism. The breakable wall with screw thread is integrated into the cap assembly, so that the act of opening the cap automatically performs the seal removal function, combining two operations into one simple user action
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
Ensures the safety seal is removed without manual intervention, preventing contact with the liquid product and maintaining product integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a second female screw thread (28) having a smaller diameter and opposite screwing direction with respect to the diameter and screwing direction of the first female screw thread (26)... The second female screw thread (28) of the covering cap (22) is thus capable of engaging with a screw thread (30) formed integrally with the breakable circular wall (18)
Data Source
Figure 1~4
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Figure 9~12
AI summary
A closure (10) for a liquid container, comprising a dispenser element (12) with an external thread (14) and an annular base (16) to be fixed to the wall of the container at its outlet hole. The element (12) has a breakable circular wall (18) and a cap (22), provided, along its inner side surface, with a first female screw thread (26) coupled with the external thread (14) formed on the outer side surface of the cylindrical dispenser element (12). Inside the cap (22) there is a second inner female screw thread (28) having a smaller diameter and opposite screwing direction with respect to the diameter and the screwing direction of the first female screw thread (26). The screw thread (28) engages with a screw thread (30) formed integral with the breakable circular wall (18) to lift the cap (22) and to screw the screw thread (30) inside the screw thread (28) in order to detach the wall (18).