Container Closure Identification via Retaining Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container closure devices lack an identification or marking element that allows for easy classification, sorting, or assignment of containers based on type, class, size, manufacturer, or processor, even when the container is closed.
Innovation Solution
The container-side holding elements are designed as identification elements, such as lettering, numbers, or graphic configurations, which are visible and protrude from the container's mouth area, enabling easy assignment and sorting, and the locking part is made transparent to maintain visibility when closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the container is closed with a closure device, then the container opening is sealed, but the container cannot be identified or sorted without opening it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the closure function and identification function into a single integrated system. The container-side retaining elements serve dual purposes: they mechanically engage with the closure device to seal the container, and simultaneously display identification information (letters, numbers, graphics) that remains visible when the container is closed. This eliminates the need for separate identification markings that would require opening the container to access.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining elements on the container are designed to perform multiple functions: providing mechanical retention for the closure device and displaying identification information. The transparency of the locking element further enables the identification elements to serve as both structural components and information display elements, allowing the same component to fulfill both sealing and identification roles simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If identification elements are added to the container, then container sorting is enabled, but the closure device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the identification elements with the existing retaining elements of the closure device. Rather than adding separate identification components, the design incorporates letters, numbers, or graphics directly into the container-side retaining elements. This integration approach enables container identification and sorting while utilizing the existing structural components of the closure device, thereby avoiding significant increases in device complexity.
3Loss of information
If the locking element is made transparent to maintain visibility of identification elements, then container identification remains visible when closed, but the locking element material options are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only the portion of the locking element that interacts with the container-side retaining elements transparent. This localized transparency ensures that the identification elements remain visible when the container is closed, while other portions of the locking element can be made from different materials with different properties, thus broadening material selection possibilities.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a closing device (1) for containers (2), having a closing part (6), by means of which an opening (5) of the container (2) can be closed and which has closing part-side holding elements (8), and container-side holding elements (9) which are arranged on a container outlet region (4) that has the opening (5) of the container (2) and with which the closing part-side holding elements (8) can be brought into engagement when closing the opening (5) of the container (2). In order to allow the containers (2) to be paired with a specific type, class, size, or the like and/or a specific manufacturer, the container-side holding elements (9) are designed as identification features or have identification features.