Floating Liner Metallic Closures for Low-Force Single-Pass Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sealing metallic beverage containers with Roll-on Pilfer Proof (ROPP) closures require high toploads and multiple passes, leading to increased manufacturing costs, material waste, and the need for specialized equipment, which limits the reduction of container thickness and weight.
Innovation Solution
The use of a floating liner with an inner plug seal and alignment support in the metallic closure allows for reduced toploads and single-pass sealing, eliminating the need for reforming the closure and liner, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and enabling the use of standard capping apparatuses for both metallic and glass containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional ROPP closure sealing methods are used with high toploads and multiple passes, then reliable sealing is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and container thickness cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The liner is pre-formed with engagement elements (barbs, ribs, or threads) that will engage with corresponding features on the closure during sealing. This preliminary preparation allows the sealing process to proceed with lower toploads and in a single pass, as the engagement elements guide and secure the liner-closure interface without requiring excessive force or multiple reforming passes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the sealing process by using a pre-formed liner with mechanical engagement elements rather than relying on high-pressure plastic deformation. This parameter change enables sealing at lower toploads and eliminates the need for multiple passes, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining sealing reliability
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional ROPP closure sealing methods are used with high toploads, then sealing is achieved, but material waste increases and container thickness reduction is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The liner is pre-formed with engagement elements that facilitate proper alignment and engagement with the closure during sealing. This preliminary action ensures that the sealing process occurs in a single pass with minimal material deformation and waste, allowing for thinner container walls without compromising sealing effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement elements on the liner provide mechanical feedback during the sealing process, ensuring proper positioning and engagement with the closure. This feedback mechanism prevents misalignment and ensures effective sealing with minimal material waste, enabling reduction of container thickness
3Productivity
If specialized capping apparatuses are used for metallic container sealing, then high-speed production is achieved, but equipment complexity increases and standard equipment cannot be used
Solution Approach 1:
The liner design with engagement elements is compatible with standard capping apparatuses used for both metallic and glass containers. This universal design allows existing multi-functional equipment to seal metallic containers without requiring specialized high-speed apparatuses, maintaining productivity while reducing equipment complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement elements on the liner self-align and engage with the closure during the sealing process, reducing the need for complex positioning mechanisms and specialized equipment. This self-service feature allows standard capping apparatuses to effectively seal metallic containers at high speeds without additional complexity
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple passes are used for ROPP closure sealing, then sealing reliability is maintained, but production time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The liner is pre-formed with engagement elements that ensure proper alignment and engagement with the closure during sealing. This preliminary preparation enables the sealing process to be completed in a single pass with reliable sealing, eliminating the need for multiple passes and thereby increasing production speed without sacrificing sealing quality
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to the manufacture and sealing of containers formed of metallic material or glass with metallic closures, and more specifically to an apparatus and methods used to seal containers with a Roll-on Pilfer Proof (ROPP) closure or a prethreaded closure. The closure includes a floating liner that is not attached to the closure such that the liner can move relative to a lower surface of the closure. The floating liner may comprise a polymer, a metal, a high-durometer material, and/or an elastic material. The floating liner includes an inner plug seal that seals or seats on an inner surface of a curl of the container. The floating liner can optionally include an outer alignment support configured to align with and/or be positioned adjacent to an outer surface of the curl.