Irrigation Container Break-Off Cap for Precise Closure Formation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing irrigation containers lack precise formation of closures, particularly those that require a predetermined breaking point or tamper evidence, due to the limitations of forming closures from outside the mold during the blow-fill process.

Innovation Solution

A process involving pre-produced break-off caps are fluidly connected and sealed to the base container, allowing for precise formation of closures with defined openings and tamper evidence features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If closures are formed from outside the mold during blow-fill process, then the container can be produced with simple process, but the closure formation precision is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer production processVSAvoidclosure formation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The closure formation process is segmented into two independent stages: (1) pre-forming the closure with high precision in a separate molding process, and (2) attaching the pre-formed closure to the container body during blow-fill. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, resolving the contradiction between process simplicity and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure is pre-formed with precise geometry and features (breaking points, tamper evidence) before the blow-fill process. This preliminary action ensures high manufacturing precision is achieved in the closure, while the main blow-fill process remains simple and efficient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If closures require predetermined breaking point or tamper evidence features, then security and control are improved, but the forming process becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure functionalityVSAvoidclosure forming difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Complex closure features such as predetermined breaking points and tamper evidence structures are pre-formed in a dedicated molding step before attachment. This allows these reliability-critical features to be manufactured with high precision using optimized tooling, without complicating the main blow-fill process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If closure is pressed together to seal the opening, then the sealing function is achieved, but the closure shape precision is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing functionVSAvoidclosure shape precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The closure and container body are separated into distinct components manufactured by different processes. The closure is pre-formed with precise shape in a molding process, then attached to the blow-formed container body. This segmentation preserves the precise shape of the closure while maintaining the sealing function through the attachment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4609893A1Container for irrigation application comprising a precisely defined opening and a production process thereof

Publication Date: 2025.09.03 B BRAUN MELSUNGEN AG

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AI summary

A process for producing a container for irrigation application, comprising the steps of providing a base container comprising at least one wall, wherein the at least one wall comprises an opening; providing a break-off cap; fluidly connecting in a connecting step the break-off cap with the opening of said base container forming a connection of the opening with the break-off cap; sealing in a sealing step the connection of the opening with the break-off cap.