Crown Cap Applicator Head With Movable Arms for Side-Tab Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cap applicator machines are designed exclusively for conventional crown caps without a side tab, making it difficult to apply and open caps with a manual opening tab, which are asymmetric and disrupt the symmetry of the crimped skirt, causing storage and handling issues.

Innovation Solution

A crown cap applicator head with a fluted bushing and independent arms that adjust the position of the cap's tab to be parallel to the container neck, allowing for the application of both conventional and tab-equipped caps by using a mechanism with a magnet, springs, and adjustable arms to align the tab correctly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional crown cap applicator heads are used, then smooth closure caps and crown-type caps can be applied, but caps with a side tab cannot be applied because the tab breaks the symmetry of the disc and the regularity of the crimps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to apply different cap typesVSAvoidhead design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator head is divided into multiple independent arms (typically 3-4 arms) that can move independently within the closing mechanism. Each arm can be positioned to accommodate the asymmetric tab position, allowing the head to handle both symmetric crown caps and asymmetric tabbed caps without requiring complete redesign of the entire head structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The arms of the applicator head are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment during the closing operation. The arms can move radially and vertically to adapt to the presence or absence of a tab, enabling the same head to process different cap types efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If the tab is positioned perpendicular to the container wall, then the cap can be applied, but storage and handling become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecap application easeVSAvoidstorage and handling ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator head performs a preliminary action by positioning the tab parallel to the container neck during the closing operation. The arms are designed to push or guide the tab into the correct orientation before the cap is fully crimped, ensuring the tab ends up in a storage-friendly position rather than perpendicular to the wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The movable arms act as intermediaries between the cap application mechanism and the tab. These arms specifically interact with the tab to reposition it during closing, mediating the transformation from an improperly oriented tab to a correctly oriented tab that is parallel to the container neck.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the applicator head is designed for asymmetric tabbed caps, then tabs can be positioned correctly, but the design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to handle tabbed capsVSAvoidhead structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator head is designed with universal arms that can handle both symmetric crown caps and asymmetric tabbed caps. The same arm mechanism serves multiple functions: applying the cap, positioning the tab, and ensuring correct orientation, thereby achieving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The applicator head incorporates asymmetric elements in the form of movable arms that can adapt to asymmetric tab positions. Rather than trying to maintain perfect symmetry in the head design, the invention embraces asymmetry by allowing the arms to move to different positions depending on whether a tab is present and where it is located.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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

Enables the efficient application and opening of caps with a side tab without an opener, improving storage and handling by ensuring the tab is positioned parallel to the container neck, facilitating easy cap removal.

Implementation Method 1

a magnet arranged at the lower end of the plunger to hold the cap

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

two springs arranged in the hollow of the central cylinder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4699975A1Crown cap applicator head, crown cap application systems and method

Publication Date: 2026.02.25 DESARROLLOS TAMARIT PLAZA SL

Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A

AI summary

Disclosed is a head for a crown cap applicator machine, comprising a hollow central cylinder (2), a closing bushing (3), an upper arm-holding bushing (4), a lower outer bushing (5) and fluted conical bushing (6) assembly, and elongated arms (7), radially attached by the upper end (70) thereof to the upper arm-holding bushing (4) and inserted through a central section (71) in the spaces (60) between flutes (61) of the fluted conical bushing (6), the lower end (72) of which emerges below the outer bushing (5), fluted conical bushing (6) and closing bushing (3), converging towards the central hollow thereof.