Crown Cap Projection for Pressure Indication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Crown-type metal caps lack effective indicators for pressure, making it difficult to determine if beverages packed under pressure have been handled improperly or are in optimal consumption conditions, and they are not suitable for small mouth bottles.

Innovation Solution

A crown-type metal cap with a semi-spherical projection that changes shape from convex to concave or vice versa based on pressure conditions, serving as a visual, auditive, and tactile indicator of the bottle's sealing and handling status, manufactured using metal sheets with specific dimensions and a liner to facilitate sealing and pressure detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a crown-type metal cap is used for small mouth bottles, then the cap is suitable for small mouth bottles, but it lacks effective pressure indicators making it difficult to determine handling status

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuitability for small mouth bottlesVSAvoidpressure indication capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sealing function and pressure indication function into a single integrated crown cap structure. The membrane element is incorporated directly into the cap body, eliminating the need for separate indication devices and enabling both small mouth bottle compatibility and pressure status visualization through the integrated design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The membrane element acts as an intermediary between the pressurized beverage and the visual indicator system. It transmits pressure changes from the beverage interior to the indicator mechanism, enabling indirect detection of pressure status through observable deformation or position changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If a projection indicator is added to the cap, then pressure indication is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure indication capabilityVSAvoidcap structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane element serves a dual function: it acts as both the pressure-sensing component and the visual indicator itself. The membrane's deformation under pressure directly provides the indication signal, eliminating the need for separate complex indicator mechanisms and achieving self-service indication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a flexible membrane element that can deform in response to pressure changes. This thin film structure provides effective pressure indication through its physical deformation while maintaining simplicity in the overall cap design, avoiding the need for rigid or complex indicator assemblies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 cap effectively indicates proper sealing and handling of pressurized beverages through visual, auditive, and tactile cues, ensuring consumer safety and quality, while being adaptable for small mouth bottles by maintaining a changed state under pressure and returning to the original state upon improper handling or pressure loss.

Implementation Method 1

A crown-type metal cap with a semi-spherical projection that changes shape from convex to concave or vice versa based on pressure conditions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

the projection changes its shape from a convex shape with respect to the plane of the central body to a concave shape

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP2123568B1Method for indicating of pressure in a bottled beverage using a crown-type metal cap
Publication Date: 2014.04.30 FABS MONTERREY S A DE
  • EP2123568B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2123568B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP2123568B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A crown-type metal cap comprising a central body; a peripheral crown having a continuous series of grooves forming a single structure with the central body; and a substantially semi-spherical projection in the central body which operates in an original state and in changed state with respect to the central body. A method for manufacturing crown-type metal caps with a projection is also described; the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of applying at least one coating on at least one side of a metal sheet; cutting and shaping the coated metal sheet into individual crown-type metal caps which include a central body and a peripheral crown provided with a continuous series of grooves forming a single structure; and forming a projection in the central body of each of the metal caps. Methods for bottling pressurized beverages and for bottling vacuum beverages using the crown-type metal caps with projection as per the invention are also described.