Closure Plug Seal Device Axial Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing closures for containers often experience misalignment and improper engagement due to radial reaction forces during the insertion of plug seal devices, leading to 'cocked cap' conditions and inadequate sealing, especially in containers with multiple thread start positions and dimensional tolerances.

Innovation Solution

A closure design featuring a plug seal device with an upper and lower section, where the sealing section engages with the container's inner surface to provide a secure seal, and a lower section that aids in axial alignment and stiffness to resist radial compression forces, ensuring proper thread engagement and sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a plug seal device is inserted into the neck region cavity to provide sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but radial reaction forces cause misalignment and cocked cap conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidthread alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The plug seal device is divided into distinct functional sections: an upper section for engagement and alignment, a sealing section for creating the seal, and a lower section for stability. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function without interfering with others, resolving the conflict between sealing effectiveness and alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The upper section of the plug seal device performs preliminary alignment action before the sealing section engages with the container wall. This preliminary alignment prevents misalignment during the sealing process, eliminating cocked cap conditions while maintaining effective sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the closure is rotated onto the container to engage threads, then closure engagement is achieved, but misalignment causes improper thread engagement and cocked cap conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure engagementVSAvoidthread alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The upper section of the plug seal device performs preliminary alignment of the closure with the container before thread engagement begins. This ensures that when rotation occurs, the threads are properly aligned from the start, preventing cocked cap conditions and ensuring smooth engagement operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention addresses alignment in the radial dimension (through the upper section's alignment features) before proceeding to the rotational engagement in the angular dimension. This dimensional sequencing ensures proper alignment is established before rotation begins, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If multi-start threads are used on the closure, then engagement speed is improved, but misalignment increases vulnerability to interference and improper engagement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement speedVSAvoidthread engagement reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The upper section of the plug seal device performs preliminary alignment before multi-start thread engagement begins. This preliminary action ensures that even with multiple thread starts designed for faster engagement, the alignment is correct from the outset, preventing interference and ensuring reliable engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of manufacture

If dimensional tolerances are not precisely controlled in container and closure, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but axial alignment between closure and container deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidaxial alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The upper section of the plug seal device performs preliminary alignment that compensates for dimensional tolerances in the container and closure. This preliminary alignment action ensures proper axial alignment is achieved even when manufacturing tolerances vary, maintaining engagement reliability without requiring precise dimensional control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11801976B2Containers and closures

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYST LTD

AI summary

A closure may have a top wall and a side wall depending from the top wall. A plug seal device may depend from said top wall within the side wall. The plug seal device may have an upper section, a lower section, and a sealing section proximate the boundary between the upper section and the lower section. The sealing section is operable such that when the plug seal device is inserted in an opening to an inner cavity in a container, the sealing section engages with an inner container surface to provide a seal between an inner cavity of the container and the external environment.