Closure Device with Opposing Threads for Tilting Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing closure devices for containers are complex to produce and prone to malfunction due to the need for axially movable, rotationally rigid mandrels, which can tilt and impede proper functioning.

Innovation Solution

A closure device design featuring a second partial thread on the inner housing side, allowing the mandrel to be fixed and eliminating the need for a movable opening element, with threads of opposite directions between components to simplify production and prevent tilting, enabling efficient medium discharge without changing the direction of rotational movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mandrel is made axially movable and rotationally rigid to move toward the membrane during unscrewing, then the membrane can be pierced to discharge the medium, but the device complexity increases and the mandrel may tilt causing malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemandrel functioning stabilityVSAvoidclosure device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the mandrel movable to achieve membrane piercing, the patent inverts the approach by making the mandrel fixed and non-rotatable. The membrane is made movable through the left-hand thread mechanism, which causes the membrane to move toward the fixed mandrel during unscrewing, thereby achieving piercing without requiring a complex movable mandrel structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent separates the functions of the mandrel and the membrane. The mandrel is designed as a fixed, non-rotatable component with a discharge channel, while the membrane is designed as a movable closing element that responds to the unscrewing motion. This segmentation allows the membrane to perform the piercing action while the mandrel remains stable and simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a left-hand thread is arranged between the cover element and the mandrel to move the mandrel toward the membrane during unscreving, then the medium can be discharged, but the production complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedium discharge functionVSAvoidclosure device production
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the inversion principle by reversing which component moves. Instead of moving the mandrel toward the membrane, the membrane is made to move toward the fixed mandrel through the left-hand thread mechanism between the cover element and the inner housing. This simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need for a movable, rotationally rigid mandrel while maintaining the discharge function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If the mandrel is made movable to pierce the membrane during unscrewing, then the discharge function is achieved, but the mandrel may tilt and impede proper functioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedium discharge efficiencyVSAvoidclosure device operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by inverting the movement mechanism. The mandrel is made fixed and non-rotatable, eliminating the risk of tilting. The membrane is made movable through the left-hand thread, which causes it to move toward the fixed mandrel during unscrewing. This ensures reliable operation while maintaining efficient medium discharge through the discharge channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 design simplifies production, prevents tilting, and allows for complete medium discharge during unscrewing, minimizing dripping and maintaining the usual counterclockwise unscrewing process.

Implementation Method 1

the cover element and the inner housing are connected to one another via a form-fit corresponding second thread... a left-hand thread arranged between the cover element and the mandrel causes the mandrel to move in the direction of the membrane at the same time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3140211B1Admixer-closure device for a container
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 RPC BRAMLAGE
  • EP3140211B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3140211B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3140211B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A closure device (1) for a container (2) with a container opening (3) comprises a cover element (4) for closing the container opening (3), an internal housing (5), and a chamber (6) arranged on the cover element (4). The chamber is arranged at least partially in the internal housing (5) which has a first screw thread (10) corresponding in an interlocking way to a screw thread (10) of the container (2). The cover element (4) and the internal housing (5) have corresponding second screw threads (11), along which the cover element (4) can be moved relative to the internal housing (5) from a closed position into a discharge position, in which a medium stored in a chamber (6) in the container (2) can exit. The first and second screw threads (10/11) are designed to work in opposite directions, by which means the chamber (6) is moved further into the internal housing (5) during a movement into the discharge position.