Fastener Ring Contact Zones for Reservoir Sealing Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastener devices for fluid reservoirs, such as bottles and syringes, face challenges in ensuring a stable and leak-tight seal due to manufacturing tolerances and compressibility of closure members, which can lead to inconsistent snap-fastening and sealing performance.
Innovation Solution
A fastener device with a peripheral skirt featuring contact zones at different axial heights, allowing for multiple fastening positions independent of the closure member's thickness and manufacturing tolerances, and optionally incorporating a blocking hoop for enhanced security and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fastener ring with flaps is used to snap-fasten below the shoulder of the neck, then the closure member can be secured on the reservoir neck, but the sealing reliability deteriorates due to manufacturing tolerances and compressibility variations of the closure member
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener ring is segmented into multiple independent flaps (at least two flaps) that can operate independently. Each flap can engage with the shoulder at different positions, ensuring that if one flap fails to seal properly due to tolerance variations, other flaps can compensate and maintain the seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the flaps by giving them different lengths. This parameter variation allows the flaps to accommodate different closure member thicknesses and compressibilities, ensuring reliable engagement below the shoulder regardless of manufacturing tolerances.
2Ease of operation
If the fastener ring is designed to engage below the shoulder of the neck, then fastening can be achieved, but the sealing performance deteriorates due to dependence on closure member thickness and compressibility
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener ring is divided into multiple independent flaps that can engage at different positions below the shoulder. This segmentation allows the system to tolerate variations in closure member dimensions while maintaining consistent sealing, as not all flaps need to engage perfectly for the seal to be effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The flaps are designed to be flexible and capable of elastic deformation. This dynamic property allows the flaps to adapt to variations in closure member thickness and compressibility, ensuring reliable engagement and sealing despite manufacturing tolerances in the reservoir neck and closure member.
3Device complexity
If contact zones are positioned at the same axial height on the fastener ring, then the structure is simplified, but the fastening reliability deteriorates due to inability to accommodate tolerance variations
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the fastener ring (specifically the flaps) have different local properties, namely different lengths. This local quality variation allows specific flaps to engage at different axial heights, accommodating tolerance variations in the reservoir neck and closure member while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
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
Guarantees reliable fastening and sealing across varying tolerances and closure member characteristics, providing robust attachment and reduced risk of misalignment or failure, while maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
the fastener elements are radially movable, so as to pass over the outer reinforcement of the neck and come into engagement below the bottom shoulder. Preferably, the fastener elements are stressed into a deformed position while passing over the outer peripheral reinforcement of the neck.
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener device for closing a fluid reservoir (1) formed with a neck (10) provided with outer peripheral reinforcement (11) that co-operates with the remainder of the neck to define a bottom shoulder (12). The device includes a fastener ring (2) for holding a closure member (4) on the neck (10), the fastener ring (2) including a peripheral skirt (21) engaged around the neck to below the bottom shoulder (12). The skirt (21) has fastener elements (26a, 26b) that form a contact zones (27a, 27b) suitable for potentially engaging the neck (10) below the bottom shoulder (12). The contact zones (27a, 27b) are situated at different axial heights, such that some contact zones (27a; 27b) come into operating engagement below the bottom shoulder (12), while other contact zones (27a; 27b) remain inoperative.