Dome Top for Metal Containers with Crown Cap Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Metal containers with multiple parts require complex manufacturing processes and multiple steps to create threaded areas for secure closure, leading to increased production time and cost, especially when incorporating safety devices against tampering.

Innovation Solution

A dome-shaped upper body for metal containers featuring a circular base, tapered tubular neck, and a peripheral annular ridge beneath the mouth, designed to securely couple with a crown cap, utilizing a process of metal forming, pressing, and rolling, allowing for efficient assembly with existing manufacturing methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If threaded areas are provided on the upper body for screw-on closure caps, then secure closure is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to multiple steps and progressive dies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosure securityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the threading function from the upper body and relocates it to the crown cap itself. The crown cap is provided with external threading that engages with a smooth-bored hole in the upper body, eliminating the need for complex threading operations on the upper body while maintaining secure closure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of providing threading on the upper body (traditional approach), the invention inverts the approach by providing threading on the crown cap. This reversal simplifies the upper body manufacturing while achieving the same closure function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If safety devices against tampering are incorporated, then product safety is improved, but production time increases due to additional manufacturing steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetamper resistanceVSAvoidproduction speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the safety device function with the crown cap structure itself. The crown cap includes integrated features such as a tamper-evident flange and threading that combine sealing and safety functions in a single component, eliminating the need for separate safety devices and reducing manufacturing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Shape

If multiple deep-drawing processes are used to form the vessel and lid, then complex shapes are achieved, but manufacturing time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer geometryVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the container into distinct functional parts (upper body, crown cap) that can be manufactured separately using optimized processes. The upper body is formed by drawing and rolling, while the crown cap is formed separately and then joined, allowing each part to be optimized for its specific manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution enables a cost-effective, versatile, and secure closure mechanism for metal containers, reducing manufacturing complexity and time while ensuring effective anchoring of crown caps, thus improving production efficiency and product reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a process which comprises the stage of forming the neck by drawing a metal disc cut from a sheet of tinplate material, subsequent pressing and rolling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2161206B1Dome top for metal containers allowing closure with a crown cap
Publication Date: 2011.09.07 CABAGAGLIO PACKAGING
  • EP2161206B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1a
  • EP2161206B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A member (1) is disclosed for use as the upper body in the production of metal containers formed by two or more parts, said element comprising a circular base (3), an elongated tubular neck (2) which tapers outwards towards said circular base (3), and an area (4) away from the circular base (3), said area (4) having a profile adapted to couple with crown caps.