Composite Lined Closure with Injection Molded Seal Liner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing caps for large water containers face issues with inconsistent sealing due to varying container neck heights and the use of compressible foam liners, which require additional assembly steps and can shift or dislodge, compromising the seal.
Innovation Solution
A composite lined closure with a resilient seal liner injection molded onto the cap's inner surface, conforming to the container neck crown and providing a secure, watertight seal, and a tear strip design for easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a compressible foam liner is used to accommodate varying container dimensions and defects, then the adaptability to different bottle finishes is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional assembly steps and the risk of liner shifting or dislodgement
Solution Approach 1:
The seal liner is injection molded directly onto the inner surface of the cap, merging two previously separate components (cap and liner) into a single integrated structure. This eliminates the need for separate assembly steps and ensures the liner remains permanently positioned without shifting or dislodging, while maintaining the adaptability benefits of the compressible foam material
Solution Approach 2:
The seal liner is pre-formed and attached to the cap during the cap molding process itself, rather than being added as a separate post-processing step. This preliminary integration ensures proper positioning and retention before the cap is applied to the container, eliminating assembly complexity while preserving the liner's ability to accommodate varying bottle dimensions
2Ease of manufacture
If a foam liner with interference fit retention is used, then the ease of manufacture is improved by using a simple retention mechanism, but the reliability of the seal deteriorates due to liner shifting or dislodgement during application and use
Solution Approach 1:
By injection molding the seal liner directly onto the cap's inner surface, the patent creates a permanent, integrated connection that eliminates liner shifting and dislodgement issues. This merging of components ensures the liner remains in its correct position throughout cap application and use, maintaining seal integrity while keeping the manufacturing process efficient through a single molding operation
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional trimming methods are used for container neck finishes, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the manufacturing precision of the neck crown height deteriorates, leading to inconsistent sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The seal liner is designed with compressible foam material that can deform and adapt to variations in neck crown height. This parameter change in the liner's physical state allows it to compensate for the height variations introduced by conventional trimming methods, ensuring consistent sealing performance across containers with non-uniform neck finishes
Solution Approach 2:
The seal liner is pre-attached to the cap in a controlled molding environment, ensuring it is in its optimal uncompressed state before application. When the cap is applied to the container, the liner compresses to accommodate the actual neck crown height, compensating for variations introduced by conventional trimming and ensuring reliable sealing
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 ensures a consistent, effective seal and prevents liner dislodgement, facilitating easy cap removal while discouraging reuse and reducing production costs and material usage.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient seal liner extending along the underside and along the inner surface above the sealing bead
Implementation Method 2
a composite lined closure with a resilient seal liner injection molded onto the cap's inner surface
Data Source
AI summary
A composite lined closure for use with a container having a container neck crown includes a top having a periphery and an underside, a skirt depending downward from the periphery, the skirt including an inner surface and a locking bead radially extending inward from the skirt, and a resilient seal liner extending along the underside and along the inner surface above the sealing bead. Preferably, the liner is formed of an elastomeric material. A method of using the composite lined closure is also described.