Glass Receptacle Thread Ridge Forming for Precise Capping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing glass receptacle manufacturing methods suffer from thread ridge deformations during transfer and cooling, leading to poor capping and high rejection rates, with the neck ring being visibly exposed when capped, and precision in thread formation is inadequate in both blank and blow molds.

Innovation Solution

The method involves molding starting thread ridges in a blank mold with precise finishing thread grooves in a blow mold, ensuring the thread ridges are inserted at a register during blow-molding, maintaining dimensional stability and correcting any distortions, with the thread ridges placed below the neck ring to be hidden by the cap.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If thread ridges are molded in the blank mold with great dimensional precision, then the thread ridges can be formed with high precision, but during transferring and cooling the threads suffer deformations beyond acceptable tolerances leading to poor capping and high rejection rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread ridge precisionVSAvoidcapping quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The thread ridges are preliminarily formed in the blank mold with high precision, then protected from deformation by keeping them outside the blow mold during the blowing process. The neck ring acts as a protective barrier that prevents the pre-formed thread ridges from undergoing the blow-molding process that would cause deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The molding process is segmented into two independent stages: first forming the thread ridges and neck ring in the blank mold, then separately forming the receptacle body in the blow mold. This segmentation allows the thread ridges to be formed with high precision while avoiding exposure to the blow-molding process that would cause deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the neck ring is positioned between the thread ridges and the receptacle body, then the blow-molding process effect on thread ridges is reduced minimizing deformations, but the neck ring remains visible when capped producing an undesirably visual effect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread ridge dimensional stabilityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing the thread ridges above the neck ring (conventional approach), the invention inverts the arrangement by positioning the thread ridges below the neck ring. This inversion allows the neck ring to cover and hide the thread ridges when the cap is applied, eliminating the visible neck ring effect while maintaining thread ridge precision through reduced blow-molding exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of manufacture

If thread ridges are formed solely in the blow mold, then the process is simplified, but the molten glass is cooler and air pressure inside the preform is insufficient to obtain complete insertion of the molten glass in the finishing thread grooves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemolding process simplicityVSAvoidthread ridge formation completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The thread ridges are preliminarily formed in the blank mold when the glass is at high temperature and highly plastic, ensuring complete insertion into the thread grooves. This preliminary formation occurs before the glass cools down in the blow mold, eliminating the problem of insufficient insertion that would occur if thread formation were delayed until the blow-molding stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach results in precise, high-tolerance thread ridges that minimize deformations and visual exposure of the neck ring, reducing defects and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the glass receptacles.

Implementation Method 1

blowing a pressurized gas through the receptacle mouth

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressurized gas flow: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

due to the contraction produced during the cooling process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal contraction: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentEP4484385B1Improved automated production method and manufacturing tooling thereof
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 DSIGNTANK SL
  • EP4484385B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4484385B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4484385B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Improved glass receptacle, automated production method and manufacturing tooling thereof, the glass receptacle comprising a finished receptacle body (11) and a receptacle mouth region (30) including a receptacle mouth (31), a neck ring (32) and finished thread ridges (22) therearound; wherein the finished thread ridges (22) are placed between the neck ring (32) and the finished receptacle body (11), said receptacle being produced by a preform (1) with starting thread ridges formed in a blank mold (40) with starting thread grooves, and later transferred and finished by a blow-molding operation in a blow mold (50) with finishing thread grooves producing a finished receptacle with finished thread ridges.