Hinged Closure Rim for Container Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of closures with containers is hindered by manufacturing tolerances in the dimensions and shape of the upper rim, making it difficult to position the closure accurately, especially in automated systems.
Innovation Solution
The closure features a peripheral locking rim with a hinged connection that can be folded inwardly to engage under the container's ledge, and an engagement surface with a widening surface portion that gradually increases in diameter, providing a guiding structure for centering and easy placement, reducing friction during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the closure is designed with a rigid peripheral skirt to ensure stable locking, then the locking reliability is improved, but the difficulty in positioning on the container rim increases due to manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral locking rim is designed with a hinged connection that allows it to move dynamically between an unfolded state for easy placement and a folded state for secure locking. This dynamic element enables the closure to adapt to manufacturing tolerances in the container rim dimensions while maintaining reliable locking when engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner diameter of the peripheral skirt changes along its length, with a widening surface portion that gradually increases in diameter. This parameter change creates a guiding structure that facilitates accurate positioning and centering on the container rim, reducing the impact of manufacturing tolerances.
2Ease of operation
If the locking rim is designed to fold inwardly to engage under the ledge, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the hinged connection
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral locking rim is segmented from the main body of the peripheral skirt through a hinged connection. This segmentation allows the locking rim to be independently positioned and folded, enabling easy operation while keeping the overall structure integrated and relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinged connection creates a flexible joint that allows the locking rim to bend and fold inwardly. This flexibility enables the locking mechanism to be operated easily by hand or automated device, while the hinge provides a reliable connection that maintains structural integrity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the inner diameter of the peripheral skirt is constant, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased friction during placement
Solution Approach 1:
The inner diameter of the peripheral skirt is deliberately varied along its length, with a widening surface portion that gradually increases in diameter. This parameter change reduces friction during the placement operation, allowing the closure to be easily positioned on the container rim while maintaining precise dimensional control through the controlled gradient of the widening portion.
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 ensures reliable and easy placement of the closure on the container, accommodating manufacturing tolerances and facilitating automated assembly while securely locking the closure in place.
Implementation Method 1
The proximal end of the peripheral locking rim is hingedly connected to the peripheral skirt, allowing the peripheral locking rim to be folded inwardly towards an inner surface of the end portion of the peripheral skirt
Implementation Method 2
the distal end thereof can move beyond and engage under the peripheral ledge of the container to lock the closure base to the upper rim of the container
Implementation Method 3
a widening surface portion having a gradually increasing inner diameter from the engagement surface portion towards the end of the peripheral skirt, wherein the inner diameter of the widening surface portion increases gradually according to a curved function
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A closure (2) comprises an annular base (3) to be fixed to an upper rim of a container (1). The base (3) comprises a peripheral skirt (8) having an end portion (9) to be arranged over the upper rim of the container (1). A peripheral locking rim (10) is integrally formed on said end portion (9) of the peripheral skirt (8). The locking rim (8) has a proximal end (13) hingedly connected to the peripheral skirt (8) and allowing the peripheral locking rim (10) to be folded inwardly towards an inner surface (11) of the end portion (9), such that, when the locking rim is in the folded state, a distal end (14) thereof can move beyond and engage under a peripheral ledge (7) of the container (1) to lock the base (3) to the container (1). The end portion (9) of the skirt (8) has on the inner surface an engagement surface portion (12) with an inner diameter basically corresponding to the outer diameter of the peripheral ledge (7) of the container and a widening surface portion (11) having a gradually increasing inner diameter from the engagement surface portion (12) towards an end (9B) of the peripheral skirt (8).