Thin-Walled Dispensing Container Plug Retention Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thin-walled or weak material dispensing containers, such as those made of aluminum or plastic, face challenges in maintaining a secure plug closure due to insufficient strength, leading to potential leakage and collapse issues when trying to retain a plug at the open end.
Innovation Solution
A deformable peripheral wall dispensing tube design featuring an internal stiffener and a deformation-resistant plug with raised portions for an interference fit, combined with a locking collar to ensure a leak-resistant seal, prevents leakage and collapse by entrapping the peripheral wall between the plug and the collar.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If thin-walled or weak material containers are used for dispensing, then ease of deformation for dispensing is improved, but the ability to securely retain a plug closure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into separate functional components: a deformation-resistant plug for sealing, an internal stiffener for structural support, and a locking collar for retention. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the plug can be made from stiff material to resist deformation, while the container wall remains thin and deformable for easy dispensing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal stiffener acts as an intermediary element between the thin container wall and the plug closure. It provides the necessary structural strength to retain the plug without requiring the container wall itself to be thick or stiff, thus maintaining ease of deformation while ensuring reliable plug retention.
2Reliability
If the peripheral wall material is made stiff to retain a plug, then the ability to securely close the container is improved, but the ease of squeezing for dispensing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the container structure are given different mechanical properties: the plug and locking collar are made deformation-resistant for reliable closure, while the peripheral wall is kept thin and deformable for easy dispensing. The internal stiffener provides localized reinforcement only where needed to support the plug, not throughout the entire container.
Solution Approach 2:
The container system is segmented into components with different stiffness characteristics. The plug, stiffener, and locking collar form a stiff sub-assembly for secure closure, while the peripheral wall remains separate and flexible for dispensing. This allows both stiff closure and flexible dispensing to coexist without compromise.
3Ease of manufacture
If thin-walled containers are used, then ease of manufacture and material efficiency are improved, but the risk of collapse and leakage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The internal stiffener serves as a mediator that prevents collapse of the thin-walled container. It provides structural support throughout the container length, distributing forces and preventing buckling during handling and storage, thereby enabling the use of thin walls without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal stiffener is inserted into the container before the plug closure is applied. This preliminary placement ensures that the stiffener is positioned to provide optimal structural support throughout the filling and closure process, preventing collapse before the final sealed state is achieved.
Data Source
AI summary
A squeezable hollow thin walled dispensing container having an open ended main body is provided with a closure plug insertable into the open end, the plug having outwardly projecting ribs engaging the inside of the peripheral wall of the body, a locking member is received exterior of the body around the plug, and the plug and locking member entrapping portions of the wall therebetween to sealingly close the open end.