Elastic Cage Closure for Visible Long-Term Container Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure systems for containers, such as vials, often hinder visibility of the container around the opening, are not suitable for long-term tight closing, and require complex or elaborate closing procedures, especially when high accuracy is needed.
Innovation Solution
A closure system comprising an elastic stopper member with a plug and cover portion, and a rigid cage member with a locking structure, allowing for precise and automated closure through a lock activation formation that deforms from a detached to a fixed position, ensuring tightness and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid plastic cap or crimp cap is used to hold the stopper in compressed state, then tightness of the container is improved, but visibility of the container around the opening is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The cage member is made of a flexible material that can be deformed elastically. This flexibility allows the cage to be compressed during assembly to secure the stopper, and then it springs back to maintain constant pressure without requiring a rigid cap that would block visibility of the container
2Manufacturing precision
If stoppers are pressed into openings with high accuracy requirements, then tight closing is achieved, but the closing procedure becomes comparably complicated or elaborate
Solution Approach 1:
The cage member is designed as a dynamic element that can be easily deformed and then springs back to its original shape. This elastic behavior simplifies the closing procedure - the cage can be compressed to install the stopper and then automatically returns to its fixed position, providing accurate positioning without complex adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic cage member performs the positioning and securing function automatically through its own elastic properties. When compressed during assembly, it naturally springs back to its original shape, self-adjusting to provide the correct pressure and positioning without requiring external adjustment mechanisms or complex procedures
3Reliability
If conventional caps are used to hold stoppers in compressed state, then tight closing is achieved in short term, but precise pressure application cannot be assured in longer term
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic cage member maintains a dynamic, constant pressure on the stopper through its elastic recovery force. Unlike rigid caps that may loosen over time due to tolerances and settling, the elastic material continuously exerts pressure as it springs back from its deformed assembly state, ensuring consistent pressure application over the long term
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 system provides a secure, efficient, and automated closure that maintains tightness over time while allowing visibility and can be easily processed with standard equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The stopper member is made of an elastic material. It has a plug portion configured to fit and in particular to tightly fit into the opening of the container
Implementation Method 2
a cage member made of a shape-retentive material, can be used for tightly and securely closing the opening of the container
Data Source
AI summary
A closure system for closing a container opening is disclosed that includes a stopper member, a cage member and a lock activation formation. The stopper member includes a plug portion to fit into the container opening and a cover portion to abut a boundary surface of the container opening. In the assembled state of the closure system, the plug portion is fitted into the container opening, the cover portion abuts the boundary surface, and the cage member is mounted to the container. The cage member has a locking structure that in a detached position is disengaged from the container, and in a fixed position engages a corresponding structure of the container. The lock activation formation is configured to interact with the cage member such that the cage member changes from the detached position to the fixed position.