Fixing Element Guide Means for Container Neck Centering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fixing members, such as covering hoops, face difficulties in axial centering and engagement around the neck of reservoirs due to low visibility, especially when bulky, leading to a time-consuming and delicate manual assembly process.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of guide means that extend axially below the attachment means to facilitate positioning, which deform in the final attachment position, allowing the attachment means to securely engage around the neck without interference, thereby simplifying the assembly process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the fixing member has a large diameter corresponding to the size of the reservoir, then it can accommodate large-diameter reservoirs, but axial centering on the neck becomes difficult due to low visibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of large-diameter reservoirsVSAvoidaxial centering on the neck
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mounting ring as an intermediary component between the fixing member and the reservoir neck. The mounting ring includes a shoulder that provides a positive stopping position for the fixing member, enabling accurate axial centering without requiring direct visual alignment. This mediator component resolves the centering difficulty while maintaining compatibility with large-diameter reservoirs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If the fixing member is bulky, then it provides sufficient structural support, but the attachment operation requires long time and delicate handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidattachment operation time
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting ring is pre-installed on the reservoir neck before the fixing member is attached. This preliminary action prepares the stopping position in advance, allowing the bulky fixing member to be quickly positioned without requiring delicate manual handling during the final attachment operation. The pre-positioned shoulder eliminates the need for time-consuming alignment adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the guide means are rigid, then they provide stable positioning, but they prevent the attachment means from reaching the final attachment position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidattachment to final position
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide means are designed with elastic properties, allowing them to dynamically change their state during the attachment process. Initially, the elastic guide means provide stable positioning and guidance. As the fixing member is pushed onto the neck, the guide means deform elastically to make way for the attachment means, then return to their original position to maintain the fixed configuration. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between stable positioning and achieving final attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 guide means facilitate easy positioning and attachment of the fixing member around the neck, reducing assembly time and complexity while ensuring a firm and definitive fix, even for large-diameter reservoirs.

Implementation Method 1

the guide means are deformed in the final position of attachment against the reservoir. Thus, the guide means do not prevent the attachment means from reaching their final attachment position.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2714281B1Fixing element and dispenser comprising such a body
Publication Date: 2015.05.13 APTAR FRANCE SAS
  • EP2714281B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP2714281B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4c

AI summary

The invention relates to a fixing element (5) that can be engaged around the neck (11) of a container (1), said fixing element (5) comprising attaching means (52) that can be axially engaged around the neck (11) until the final attaching position is reached, wherein the element (5) is securely attached around the neck (11). Said fixing element is characterised in that it also comprises guiding means (56) that can be axially engaged around the neck (11) before the attaching means (52) engage around the neck (11) in order to facilitate the positioning of the attaching means (52) in relation to the neck (11).