Impact Resistant Closure With Projections

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Closures for containers are prone to damage and integrity breaches due to impact events, leading to contamination and spoilage, as existing designs lack sufficient impact resistance.

Innovation Solution

The development of an impact-resistant closure featuring a top panel, a frustoconical transition section, and a cylindrical skirt with outwardly extending projections that absorb impact energy, along with raised ribs and a tamper-evident band for enhanced security and functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional closure designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but impact resistance is insufficient leading to closure failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidclosure structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure is divided into distinct functional segments: a top panel, a frustoconical transition section with impact-absorbing projections, and a cylindrical skirt with raised ribs. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity during impact events

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Projections extend outwardly from the outer surface of the transition section to provide preemptive cushioning against impact forces. These projections are positioned to absorb and distribute impact energy before it can propagate through the closure structure, preventing catastrophic failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Strength

If thicker wall sections are added to improve impact resistance, then strength increases, but material usage and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidmaterial usage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than uniformly thickening the entire closure, the design adds localized structural features: projections on the transition section and raised ribs on the skirt. These localized reinforcements provide impact resistance only where needed, minimizing overall material consumption while maintaining strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The closure utilizes a frustoconical transition section that combines geometric shape optimization with projected elements, creating a composite structural system that achieves high impact resistance through form and feature integration rather than simply increasing material quantity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the closure structure is reinforced to prevent impact failure, then reliability improves, but ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal integrityVSAvoidclosure fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The closure is formed as an integrated unit with distinct segments (top panel, transition section with projections, and skirt with ribs) that can be molded in a single operation. This segmentation allows complex geometries to be achieved without additional assembly steps, maintaining ease of manufacture while ensuring reliable seal integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frustoconical transition section uses curved surfaces that are well-suited for injection molding and other conventional forming processes. The curved geometry naturally distributes stress during impact while remaining compatible with standard manufacturing methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 closure effectively resists failure and maintains seal integrity under impact, preventing contamination and spoilage while providing a secure and easy-to-open mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

The plurality of projections configured to absorb impact energy to resist failure of the closure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact energy absorption: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS8672158B2Impact resistant closure

Publication Date: 2014.03.18 SILGAN WHITE CAP LLC

AI summary

A closure including a top panel and a transition section extending from a peripheral edge of the top panel is provided. The closure includes a skirt extending from a peripheral edge of the transition section such that the skirt extends away from the top panel. The skirt includes a plurality of projections extending outwardly and away from an outer surface of the transition section.