Low-Profile Container Closure With Circumferential Tear-Off Webs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container closures, such as those with guarantee seals, face issues of being difficult to manufacture, having a high overall height, and being unsuitable for various container types, with risks of premature breakage and environmental pollution due to lost caps.

Innovation Solution

A container closure design featuring a connecting element with a second end fixed to the pouring opening and a tear-off web, allowing for a lower overall height, secure attachment, and a tamper-evident quality seal, facilitating easy manufacturing and recycling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a guarantee seal is used to prevent complete removal of the closure cap, then security against theft and tampering is improved, but the overall height of the container closure increases and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against theft and tamperingVSAvoidoverall height of container closure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting element is divided into multiple segments including a first connecting portion attached to the closure cap, a second connecting portion attached to the pouring opening, and at least one tear-off web connecting these portions. This segmentation allows the security function to be achieved through a distributed structure rather than a single tall component, thereby reducing overall height while maintaining security functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of extending the guarantee seal vertically (in the height dimension), the connecting element extends horizontally along the circumference of the closure cap. The tear-off webs are arranged radially outward from the closure cap, transforming the security mechanism from a vertical extension to a horizontal and radial configuration, thus reducing overall height while maintaining security functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If a long thread is provided to build up required tension in the guarantee seal, then security functionality is improved, but the overall height of the container closure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetension building capabilityVSAvoidoverall height of container closure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting element utilizes the circumferential dimension around the closure cap rather than extending vertically. The first connecting portion wraps around the closure cap's circumference, allowing sufficient length for tension building without increasing vertical height. This dimensional transformation resolves the contradiction between needing long threads for tension and maintaining compact height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Length of stationary object

If the second end of the connecting element is arranged outside the closure cap, then the closure cap height is reduced and thread connection is improved, but the connecting element complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosure cap heightVSAvoidconnecting element structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting element is segmented into functionally distinct portions: a first connecting portion for attachment to the closure cap, a second connecting portion for attachment to the pouring opening, and tear-off webs connecting them. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while keeping the overall structure manageable despite the increased complexity of having multiple components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural connection between the closure cap and pouring opening, enables security functionality through tear-off webs, allows for quality sealing, and facilitates tamper evidence. This multi-functionality justifies the increased structural complexity by consolidating multiple functions into a single integrated component rather than requiring separate elements for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If tear-off webs are formed on the connecting element, then tamper evidence and quality sealing are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetamper evidence capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting element includes at least one tear-off web that is structurally segmented from the main body, creating a distinct薄弱环节 (weak link) designed to fail under specific conditions. This segmentation enables tamper evidence functionality while allowing the manufacturing process to focus on creating controlled separation zones rather than entirely new components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tear-off webs are integrated into the connecting element as an inherent feature rather than being separate components. This merging of the tamper-evident feature into the existing connecting structure reduces manufacturing complexity compared to adding separate tamper-evident mechanisms, as the tear-off webs can be formed during the same molding or fabrication process as the connecting element itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3956239B1Container closure
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 ALPLA WERKE ALWIN LEHNER
  • EP3956239B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3956239B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3956239B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a container closure (100, 200) comprising a closure cap (1, 201) having an inner thread for placing on a pouring opening (2, 202) having an outer thread. The container closure (100, 200) has a connection element (3, 203) with a first end (31, 231) and a second end (32, 232). The first end (31, 231) is connected to the closure cap (1, 201) and the connection element (3, 203) runs at least partially along a circumference of the closure cap (1, 201). The second end (32, 232) of the connection element (3, 203) is/can be non-rotatably fixed in relation to the pouring opening (2, 202) and is arranged outside the closure cap (1, 201). At least one tear-off strip (33, 233), preferably multiple tear-off strips (33, 233), is/are formed on the connection element (3, 203).