Container End Closure Sealing via Segmented Apices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container manufacturing techniques often result in cellulosic material at the apices being exposed to the contents, leading to potential contamination and inadequate sealing, especially in aseptic packaging where preventing microorganism access is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A sheet material blank comprising layers of cellulosic and thermoplastics materials with strategically placed lines of weakness and a mandrel cap design that ensures the apices of the end closure are pressed and sealed against a thermoplastics layer, reducing the likelihood of cellulosic material exposure and enhancing the sealing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional container manufacturing techniques are used, then the container structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the cellulosic material at the apices is exposed to the contents leading to potential contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The end closure panel is divided into multiple sub-panels by oblique lines of weakness, creating a segmented structure that allows the apices to be directed away from the contents while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized fold lines
Solution Approach 2:
The lines of weakness are pre-positioned and offset relative to the apices during blank design, so that when the container is formed, the apices naturally direct away from the contents without requiring additional sealing operations
2Reliability
If the apices are sealed against a flat surface, then the sealing is effective and prevents material exposure, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mandrel cap features a localized bearing surface with specific geometric characteristics (bridging surface portion and recessed surface portions) that provide the necessary sealing action at the apex locations while maintaining simplicity in the rest of the forming process
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 effectively seals the apices of the container, reducing the risk of cellulosic material exposure to the contents and improving the sealing integrity, particularly beneficial for aseptic packaging of liquids by ensuring the paperboard layer remains isolated from the contents.
Implementation Method 1
a layer of thermoplastics material... sealing by softening of thermoplastics material
Data Source
AI summary
A blank (2) comprising a row of body panels (P1-P4), and a row of end closure panels (P6-P9) extending substantially parallelly to the row of body panels (P1-P4), whereof each end closure panel (P6-P9) has an edge (E1-E4), and whereof each of the second (P7) and fourth (P9) end closure panels has oblique lines of weakness (S1, S11, S2, S12) which divide its panel into a central sub-panel (P7a, P9a) adjacent the corresponding second or fourth body panel (P2, P4) and two end sub-panels (P7b, P7c, P9b, P9c) adjacent the corresponding edges (E2, E4), wherein the end sub-panels (P7b, P7c, P9b, P9c) bulge away from its corresponding edge (E2, E4). A container formed from the sheet material blank and a method of forming the container is also described. The method involves the use of a mandrel cap including a bearing surface (102) and a bridging surface portion (112) substantially flush with said bearing surface (102), and extending between recessed surface portions (104) at respective opposite sides of said bridging surface portion (112).