Magnetic Closure Eliminates Gap in Screw-Threaded Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Screw-type container-closure systems often fail to eliminate gaps between the closure and container, disrupting the aesthetic appeal and precise alignment, especially when cross sections are not round, and lack a satisfying sealing mechanism.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating magnetic elements in both the container and closure that align and attract each other upon full mounting, causing the overcap to make contact and eliminate any gap, producing a satisfying 'click' sound and tactile sensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a closure is screwed onto a container using complementary screw threads, then the closure can be mounted and demounted through rotation, but a gap between the closure and container remains, disrupting aesthetic appeal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical thread-based mounting system with a magnetic attraction system. Magnetic elements in the closure and container attract each other to pull the closure against the container body, eliminating gaps that persist in conventional mechanical thread systems. This magnetic substitution provides both the mounting function and the gap elimination simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic parameters to the closure-system by incorporating magnetic elements that can be adjusted in strength and positioning. By controlling the magnetic field parameters, the system achieves precise alignment and eliminates gaps between the closure and container while maintaining ease of operation through magnetic attraction force.
2Shape
If the cross sections of container and closure are not round (e.g., square), then the package can have a smoothly flowing shape, but precise registration between container and closure becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical alignment features (such as tapered threads or keyed interfaces) with a magnetic field-based alignment system. The magnetic elements provide a non-contact alignment mechanism that works effectively with non-circular cross sections, enabling precise registration while maintaining the aesthetic benefit of smoothly flowing package shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field acts as an intermediary between the container and closure, providing a mediating force that guides precise alignment. This magnetic intermediary allows non-circular cross sections to register accurately without requiring complex mechanical alignment features, thus preserving the smoothly flowing shape while achieving manufacturing precision.
3Reliability
If the closure is fully mounted on the container, then sealing is achieved, but the event is silent and presents no interest for the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces acoustic feedback (a form of sensory feedback) to the mounting process. As the magnetic elements align and the closure is pulled against the container, a satisfying metallic 'click' sound is produced. This acoustic signal provides user engagement and interest during the mounting process, transforming the silent event into an audible, satisfying experience while maintaining reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback into the mounting process through the audible 'click' sound that occurs when the closure is fully mounted. This feedback mechanism provides immediate sensory confirmation to the user that the closure is properly sealed, enhancing user engagement and satisfaction while ensuring reliable sealing effectiveness.
4Manufacturing precision
If magnetic elements are added to eliminate gaps and improve alignment, then aesthetic appeal and registration precision improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the magnetic elements serve multiple functions: they provide alignment guidance, generate attractive force to eliminate gaps, and produce the audible feedback signal. By making the magnetic system multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate components for each function, thus limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved registration precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the alignment function, sealing force generation, and user feedback functions into a single magnetic element system. This merging of functions allows the magnetic elements to simultaneously achieve precise registration and provide user engagement without requiring additional separate mechanisms, thereby controlling device complexity.
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
Ensures a precise registration and fluid-tight seal between the container and closure, enhancing the user experience with a luxurious tactile sensation and eliminating unsightly gaps.
Implementation Method 1
one or more magnetic elements (9) that tend to attract the one or more magnetic elements (19) of the closure
Implementation Method 2
the contact produces a satisfying, reassuring metallic 'click' sound
Data Source
AI summary
A screw-type closure system comprising a container and closure. The closure comprises a screw-threaded inner cap, a customized wand that depends from the inner cap and supports an applicator surface, an overcap that is enabled to translate axially relative to the inner cap, and one or more magnetic elements. The container comprises a specialized shoulder, a neck having a specialized screw thread profile, a customized wiper that engages the customized wand, an overshell that houses one or more magnetic elements that tend to attract the one or more magnetic elements of the closure.The closure is screwed onto the container until the inner cap comes to a hard stop, at which point the magnetic elements of the closure are aligned with the magnetic elements of the container. At that point, the overcap (15) of the closure (11) is drawn toward the overshell (4) of the container until they make contact, so that there is no unsightly gap. Also, the contact produces a satisfying, reassuring metallic “click” sound, accompanied by a luxurious tactile sensation.