Container Closure with Folding Ring Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing captive closure caps for containers require complex cutting systems and increased material usage, leading to higher production costs and material consumption compared to conventional closure caps.

Innovation Solution

A container closure design that eliminates the need for additional cuts by using a folding ring and tabs to securely hold the screw cap in an open position, allowing for cost-effective production and reduced material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple cuts are provided on the tamper-evident ring to create retaining bands, then the closure cap can be held captively to the container, but the investment in slitting and folding system increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecaptive closure functionVSAvoidslitting and folding system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the retaining function from a complex multi-cut system and concentrates it into a single cut with an integrated retaining tongue structure. The retaining tongue is formed as part of the cap body, eliminating the need for separate retaining bands and complex slitting systems while maintaining the captive closure function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the retaining function with the cap body structure itself. The retaining tongue is integrally formed with the cap, combining the sealing and retaining functions into a single structural element, thereby simplifying the overall system and reducing the complexity of cutting and folding mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple cuts and retaining bands are implemented, then the closure remains attached to the container when open, but the material requirement for production increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosure retentionVSAvoidmaterial consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the need for multiple separate retaining bands and reduces material consumption by implementing a single retaining tongue structure that is integrally formed with the cap body, thereby using less material while maintaining the same retention function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining function is merged into the cap body structure itself through the integrally formed retaining tongue, eliminating the need for additional retaining bands and reducing overall material consumption while maintaining closure retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the tamper-evident ring and threaded portion require increased height for retaining bands, then the closure functions properly, but the material consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretaining band functionVSAvoidheight of tamper-evident ring and threaded portion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining function is merged into the cap body structure through the integrally formed retaining tongue, eliminating the need for increased height of the tamper-evident ring and threaded portion, thereby maintaining proper function while reducing overall dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Manufacturing precision

If a complex cutting system with multiple knives is used, then the closure cap can be properly formed, but maintenance costs increase due to short knife service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosure cap formationVSAvoidcutting system maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the retaining function from a complex multi-knife cutting system and implements it through a single cut with an integrally formed retaining tongue, thereby reducing the number of knives required and extending maintenance intervals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining function is merged into the cap body structure, allowing it to be formed with a single cutting operation rather than requiring multiple knives, thereby simplifying the cutting system and reducing maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enables a user-friendly open position for the closure cap while minimizing material consumption, resulting in cost-effective production and reduced maintenance costs for cutting systems.

Implementation Method 1

the torque causes the folding ring (19) to unfold in the region of the holding section (49) in the open position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorque: Torque

Implementation Method 2

tabs (39) formed on the free end of the folding ring (19) and distributed over the circumference are unfolded or turned outwards in the region of the holding section (49)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4251529B1Container closure
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 ALPLA WERKE ALWIN LEHNER
  • EP4251529B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4251529B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4251529B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a container closure (11) for closing the pouring opening (51) of a container (13), the container closure comprising a screw cap (15) having a free edge (25), a first cylindrical casing (23), a cover disc (21) that adjoins the casing (23), and an internal thread (27) which is formed on the inner face of the casing (23) and can interact with an external thread (33) of a container neck (31) of the container (13). The container closure also comprises a tamper-proof ring (17) which is connected to the free edge (25) of the casing (15) via predetermined breaking webs (47) and has a folding ring (19) which is designed to form-fittingly engage in an abutment in the form of a retaining ring (35), which abutment is located in the region of the container neck (31), and which folding ring can be folded into the tamper-proof ring (17) from the bottom edge of the tamper-proof ring. Between the screw cap (15) and the tamper-proof ring (17), a separation cut (45) is provided in the rotational plane of the closure (11), which separation cut is interrupted by the predetermined breaking webs (47) and by a holding portion (49) that is used to connect the screw cap (15) to the tamper-proof ring (17). The height of the holding portion (49) corresponds to the height of the tamper-proof ring (17) when the folding ring (19) is folded in.