Container Sealing Element Melting and Screw Cap Closing Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for attaching a sealing element and a screw cap with a nut thread to a container are inefficient, leading to high energy and material consumption, and often result in inadequate seals due to complex process requirements and the need for separate processing stations, which increases costs and mechanical complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method where a sealing element is melted in certain areas using a first time interval, and the screw cap is closed by positioning the nut thread over the screw thread during a second time interval that covers at least a portion of the first time interval, allowing for a more efficient and reliable sealing process without overheating, and using a device with a melting unit and screw cap receptacle to facilitate this process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate processing stations are used for sealing and closing operations, then sealing quality can be maintained, but device complexity and acquisition costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing operation and closing operation into a single integrated processing station. The container mouth is sealed by melting the sealing element, and then closed by screwing on the cap in one continuous operation, eliminating the need for separate processing stations while maintaining sealing quality through coordinated control of both operations.
2Reliability
If separate processing stations are used for sealing and closing operations, then sealing quality can be maintained, but acquisition costs and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates sealing and closing operations into one processing station, reducing the number of required equipment units. This consolidation lowers acquisition costs, reduces installation space requirements, and decreases maintenance needs while preserving sealing quality through coordinated control of the integrated system.
3Manufacturing precision
If melting and closing operations are performed separately, then each operation can be optimized, but production time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the melting operation and closing operation in continuous sequence within a single processing station without interruption or repositioning of the container. The container mouth is sealed by melting the sealing element, then immediately closed by screwing on the cap, eliminating idle time and reducing total production time while maintaining operation quality through coordinated control.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the second time interval completely covers the first time interval, then energy consumption is reduced, but process control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent initiates the closing operation (screwing on the cap) before the melting operation is complete, so that the cap is already in place and threaded onto the container mouth while the sealing element is still being melted. This preliminary action allows the second time interval to cover the first time interval, reducing energy consumption by avoiding reheating, while process control is managed through coordinated timing control of the two operations.
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
This method reduces energy and material consumption, enhances seal quality, and simplifies the filling process by ensuring high-quality seals with reduced mechanical stress on the device, leading to more efficient and cost-effective container sealing.
Implementation Method 1
Sealing the opening of the container at least by partially melting the sealing element
Data Source
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Figure 3a
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for attaching a sealing element and a screw cap having a nut thread to the opening of a container, wherein the opening of the container comprises an opening wall the outside of which has a screw thread at least in a certain area, and the opening is sealed in a way that allows it to be broken at least in a certain area by partially melting the sealing element and closed in a way that allows it to be opened by attaching the screw cap, comprising the following steps: a) providing a device for sealing and closing containers; b) providing a screw cap; c) providing a sealing element; d) temporarily storing at least the screw cap in a screw cap receptacle of a container closing device; e) placing the sealing element on the opening of the container; f) sealing the opening of the container at least in a certain area by partially melting the sealing element.g) Positioning an initial region of the nut thread relative to an initial region of the screw thread, h) Closing the opening of the container by screwing on the screw cap, using a first time interval, using a second time interval. A method is to be provided that can contribute to at least partially reducing energy and/or material consumption and is advantageously capable of providing seals on containers with screw cap connections that meet at least the respective quality requirements, and in particular are of particularly high quality, with a particularly high process reliability. According to the invention, it is proposed that the second time interval covers at least a portion of the first time interval. The invention also relates to a device for attaching a sealing element and a screw cap having a nut thread to the opening of a container.