Inclined Portioning Device for Precise PT Closure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines are unsuitable for efficiently introducing flowable material into press-on twist-off (PT) vessel closures, particularly those made of PVC-free materials like thermoplastic elastomers, as they fail to effectively portion and position the material within these closures.
Innovation Solution
A device with a flange-like portion and a cylindrical portion, featuring an inclined end face and angled outer sides, is used to portion and position flowable sealing material into PT vessel closures. This device, which can be made of metal, includes a non-stick coating to facilitate material introduction and shaping, allowing for precise placement and subsequent mechanical forming into a sealing element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a cutting edge is used to portion flowable material from the gap outlet, then the material can be cut off and transferred to the vessel closure, but the material cannot be effectively positioned and shaped within PT vessel closures
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: a cylindrical portion for material contact and portioning, and a flange-like portion for positioning and shaping. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function effectively, resolving the contradiction between portioning capability and positioning precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a simple cutting edge (one-dimensional contact) to a three-dimensional device with an inclined end face and angled outer sides. This dimensional change enables simultaneous portioning, positioning, and shaping operations, achieving both material separation and precise placement within the PT closure.
2Device complexity
If the device has a perpendicular end face to the axis, then the structure is simple, but the flowable material cannot be properly portioned and positioned in PT closures
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs asymmetric geometry with an inclined end face (angle α between 10°-80° relative to the axis) and angled outer sides (angle β between 5°-30°). This asymmetry creates optimal contact conditions for portioning and positioning flowable material in PT closures, achieving precise material placement while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
3Productivity
If the device is made without non-stick coating, then the manufacturing cost is lower, but the flowable sealing material cannot be efficiently introduced and shaped
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the surface property parameter of the device by applying a non-stick coating (such as Teflon) to the cylindrical and flange portions. This parameter change enables efficient introduction and shaping of flowable sealing materials by preventing adhesion, thereby improving productivity while the coating application process remains a standard manufacturing step.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for portioning and positioning a flowable sealing material. The purpose of the device is to make it easier to introduce the flowable material into a container closure. A device is proposed which has a flange-like portion (110) and a cylindrical portion (130). The flange-like portion (110) is connected to the cylindrical portion (130). The cylindrical portion (130) has an end side (133) which is located at an end of the cylindrical portion (130) which faces away from the flange-like portion (110). The end side (133) has a surface (134) that is inclined relative to an axis of the device (100) such that an angle (α) between the surface (134) and the axis is less than 90°.