Container Closure With Integral Sealing Plug
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container closures face challenges in simplifying handling and recycling due to the need for separate materials and the risk of leakage during filling, with the current methods involving membranes or films that are costly and prone to damage.
Innovation Solution
A container closure design that allows filling the chamber while connected to the container, using a sealing plug instead of membranes, and featuring a filling opening that can be closed separately to prevent leakage, enabling easier handling and recycling by using the same plastic materials throughout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a membrane or film sealing section is used to close the outlet opening, then the sealing function is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase, and the risk of unintentional damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing section is made from the same plastic material as the closure parts through integral molding, eliminating the need for separate membrane or film materials. This homogenization of materials simplifies manufacturing, reduces production steps, and eliminates the complexity associated with bonding or attaching different materials together.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is merged into the structural design of the closure parts themselves. The sealing section is formed as an integral part of the closure during the molding process, combining the sealing function with the closure structure rather than using a separate membrane component.
2Reliability
If different materials are used for the membrane and closure parts, then the sealing performance is improved, but the recyclability deteriorates due to the need for material separation
Solution Approach 1:
All components including the sealing section, first closure part, and second closure part are made from the same plastic material, enabling the entire container closure to be recycled together as a single material type without complex separation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The integral design allows the entire closure assembly to be recovered and recycled as a single unit. The sealing section can be discarded and recovered together with the closure parts without requiring separation, simplifying the recycling process and improving ease of manufacture in the context of waste management.
3Ease of operation
If the chamber is filled when connected to the container, then the handling is simplified, but the risk of medium leakage into the container increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filling opening is closed with a closure cap before the chamber filling process begins. This preliminary closing action prevents any potential leakage into the container during filling, while still allowing the chamber to be filled in the convenient connected state.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure cap acts as an intermediary element that seals the filling opening during the filling process. This intermediate sealing component allows the filling operation to proceed safely without direct exposure of the container interior to the filling stream.
4Reliability
If a separate sealing section is used to close the outlet opening, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the number of components and assembly steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing section is merged with the closure parts through integral molding, forming a single molded component rather than separate parts. This reduces the number of components and eliminates assembly steps required to attach a separate sealing element.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sealing section performs multiple functions: it provides sealing for the outlet opening, maintains structural integrity of the closure, and enables the closure to be molded as a single piece. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a container closure (1) with a chamber (9) for storing a second medium, typically a liquid, separately from a first medium stored in a container before use. The container closure (1) has a first closure part (3) and a second closure part (4), the first closure part (3) having a cap section (5) which can be connected to the container in the region of this cap section (5). One closure part (4) of the closure parts (3, 4) has a circumferential shell section (8), the shell section (8) forming the chamber (9), and the chamber (9) having an outlet opening for dispensing the second medium.The second closure part (4) is movable relative to the first closure part (3) from a closed position to an outlet position for dispensing the second medium into the container, wherein in the closed position a sealing section (11) seals the outlet opening. Furthermore, a filling opening (16) leading into the chamber (9) is formed in a cap section (5) of the second closure part (4) that can be connected to the first closure part (3), for filling the chamber (9) in the closed position of the closure parts (3, 4).