Container Closure Retention Structure for Low-Force Secure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional closures face challenges with proper installation, securement, and sealing on containers with manufacturing tolerances and irregularities, requiring high forces and complex machinery, and lack features for consumer confidence and tamper evidence.
Innovation Solution
A closure design featuring a flexible retention member that accommodates manufacturing variances and irregularities, with a base and skirt structure that includes a movable annular retention member for secure attachment and reduced installation force, along with tamper-evident features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional closures are used on containers with manufacturing tolerances and irregularities, then the closure can be installed on the container, but high installation forces are required and complex machinery is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The closure incorporates a flexible retention member that can change its geometric parameters (shape, angle, position) to adapt to container variations. The retention member is designed with specific flexibility characteristics allowing it to deform and conform to irregular container surfaces, enabling reliable installation without excessive force
Solution Approach 2:
The retention member is designed as a dynamic element that can move and adjust during the installation process. It transitions from a compressed state during installation to a relaxed state in final positioning, allowing the closure to accommodate container tolerances and irregularities while reducing required installation force
2Reliability
If conventional closures are used on containers with manufacturing tolerances and irregularities, then the closure can be installed on the container, but complex or sophisticated installation machinery is required
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible retention member is designed to automatically adjust and conform to the container surface during installation. The member's inherent flexibility allows it to self-align and adapt to container variations without requiring complex positioning or alignment machinery, simplifying the installation process
Solution Approach 2:
The retention member's geometric parameters are designed to change during installation, allowing it to accommodate container tolerances. This adaptability eliminates the need for sophisticated machinery to compensate for container variations, as the closure itself absorbs the tolerances
3Reliability
If a non-removable closure is used, then consumer confidence in package integrity is increased and counterfeiting is inhibited, but the closure cannot be removed for product access
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is segmented into a permanent base portion and a removable lid portion. The base remains permanently attached to the container to maintain integrity and tamper evidence, while the lid can be removed to access the product. This segmentation allows both non-removable and removable functions to coexist in different parts of the closure system
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 closure effectively secures to containers with varied dimensions, reduces installation force, enhances sealing, and provides tamper evidence, improving assembly efficiency and consumer confidence.
Implementation Method 1
an annular, flexible retention member extending laterally inwardly from the skirt lower end portion... with a proximal end surface located at the connection and defining a shoulder with the lower end surface when the flexible retention member is in its undeflected configuration
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A closure for a container with an outwardly projecting flange. The closure including a skirt for attaching the closure to the container. The skirt has an annular, flexible retention member extending laterally inwardly from a lower end portion of the skirt to define a connection therebetween. In one form, the flexible retention member has an initial, undeflected configuration, a deflected configuration rotated away therefrom about the connection, and a proximal end surface located at the connection defining a shoulder when the flexible retention member is in the undeflected configuration. In another form, the flexible retention member is movable into the deflected configuration when subjected to an axial force of between about 100 Newtons and about 150 Newtons.