Foil Closure Peninsula Reduces Opening Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure designs for containers with ring pull mechanisms require excessive force to open, especially when dealing with wide-mouthed PET or polypropylene containers, leading to difficulties in opening and potential delamination or snapping of the ring pull.
Innovation Solution
The closure design incorporates a peninsula structure on the removable part, where the pulling force is applied, reducing the arc length of the frangible region and increasing the tearing pressure, allowing for easier opening by concentrating the force on a smaller area, and optionally using a slit to propagate the tear in one direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pulling force is distributed over a large arc of the frangible region, then the closure provides stable sealing and easy removal, but the opening force required becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a peninsula structure with concentrated material at a specific location on the removable part. This peninsula has different geometric properties (smaller area, specific shape) compared to the rest of the removable part, allowing it to concentrate the pulling force on a localized area of the foil seal. This localized concentration enables easier tearing initiation while the rest of the removable part maintains its sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the removable part into distinct functional zones: a peninsula structure for force concentration and tearing initiation, and the remaining frangible region for sealing and controlled removal. This segmentation allows different parts of the closure to perform different functions optimally - the peninsula handles the high-force tearing task while the broader frangible region provides stable sealing.
2Ease of operation
If the arc length of the frangible region is reduced to concentrate force, then the opening force is reduced, but the structural integrity of the removable part is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The peninsula structure provides local quality by concentrating material and geometric features at a specific location. This localized reinforcement allows the structure to withstand the tearing forces during opening while maintaining overall structural integrity. The peninsula's specific geometry (width, height, position) is optimized to provide sufficient strength for force concentration without compromising the removable part's overall structural integrity.
3Ease of operation
If a peninsula structure is used to concentrate force on a smaller area, then the opening force is reduced by up to 40%, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The peninsula structure is designed as a simple geometric feature that can be integrated into the removable part through conventional molding techniques. By defining the peninsula with specific dimensional parameters (width, height, position relative to the frangible region), the design achieves force concentration without requiring complex multi-component assemblies or sophisticated manufacturing processes. The structure adds minimal complexity while delivering significant opening force reduction.
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
This design reduces the required opening force by up to 40% and facilitates easier opening of wide-mouthed containers by concentrating the force on a smaller area, minimizing the risk of delamination and snapping.
Implementation Method 1
the pulling force is applied to a peninsula of the removable part... concentrating the force on a smaller area, increasing the tearing pressure
Implementation Method 2
optionally using a slit to propagate the tear in one direction
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an opening device for a foil closure can be fitted to a container body. The device comprises a spout (4) with a removable disc (10) attached to a pull-ring (12). The disc (10) is secured to the spout (4) by means of a frangible region (30). A foil (8) is sealed to a raised land (34) on a base of the disc (10). The pull ring is mounted to the disc (10) by means of legs so that it applies a force on a peninsula (50) of the disc, thereby reducing the length of the arc over which an initial pulling force is dissipated when the initial tear is being initiated reducing the force required to tear the foil (8) by up to 40%.