Closure Assembly with Corrugated Wings for Stiffness and Easier Molding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current closure assemblies face a limit in reducing plastic material usage in wings without compromising their stiffness, leading to issues during injection molding and handling.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a corrugated center portion in the wings, with flat base and top portions, to enhance stiffness while minimizing plastic material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the thickness of the wings is reduced to use less plastic material, then material usage decreases, but the stiffness of the wings deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces corrugations that add structural complexity in the vertical dimension (thickness direction) while keeping the wing's planar dimensions unchanged. The corrugated structure creates multiple internal surfaces and geometric reinforcement that significantly increase stiffness without increasing the wing's footprint or overall material volume, effectively resolving the contradiction between material reduction and stiffness maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugations are applied specifically to the center portion of the wing where structural reinforcement is most needed for torque transmission, while the base and top portions remain flat for manufacturing compatibility. This localized application of structural complexity optimizes material usage by providing stiffness enhancement only where necessary, rather than uniformly thickening the entire wing
2Quantity of substance
If the thickness of the wings is reduced to use less plastic material, then material usage decreases, but injection molding and handling become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
By adding corrugations in the vertical dimension rather than increasing planar thickness, the patent maintains adequate material volume for robust injection molding and handling. The corrugated structure provides geometric reinforcement that allows the use of thinner overall wing thickness while ensuring sufficient material presence for manufacturing processes and operational handling
Solution Approach 2:
The flat base and top portions are maintained specifically to ensure proper alignment with injection molding tools and to provide adequate material for handling operations, while the center portion incorporates corrugations to provide structural reinforcement with minimal material. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between material reduction and manufacturing ease
3Strength
If corrugations extend to the periphery of the wing, then stiffness increases, but mold alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent confines the corrugated structure to the center portion of the wing, keeping the base and top portions flat. This localization ensures that the areas requiring precise mold alignment (the flat portions) remain simple and planar, while the corrugations provide stiffness enhancement only in the region where they won't interfere with mold alignment, effectively resolving the contradiction between stiffness and manufacturing precision
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 corrugated design improves stiffness, reduces material usage, and simplifies injection molding by easing alignment of mold halves, thereby enhancing production efficiency and reducing leakage risks.
Implementation Method 1
providing each wing with a center portion that includes at least one corrugation. This corrugated center portion adjoins the skirt of the cap and is located between the base portion and the top portion of the wing
Data Source
AI summary
A closure assembly for a container, comprises a spout (1, 3) and a rotational cap (2) injection moulded of plastic material. The cap comprises a top wall (2a) and a downward depending skirt (2b). The cap has two wings (5), which are integrally moulded of plastic material and extend vertically and outward in a lateral direction over a wing length in substantially opposite directions from an inner end to a tip. The wings each have a base portion, a center portion, a top portion, and opposite front and back sides. At least the center portion of each wing is connected to the skirt of the cap. The base portion and the top portion of each wing are substantially flat. The center portion of each wing comprise at least one corrugation (12, 12′, 12″) that extends along a part of the length of the wing and forms a groove on both sides of the wing, which grooves of the corrugation, as seen from a sideways view of the wing, together form an alternating waveform, e.g. a sinusoidal shape.