Container Neck Weakening Line for Clean Cap Separation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing closing devices for containers require complex and costly molds for manufacturing, with slow work cycles and stiff, sharp penetrating elements that complicate the formation process and lead to deformation and residue issues during initial opening, affecting efficiency and user safety.

Innovation Solution

A closing arrangement featuring a neck with a weakening line that allows for simpler manufacturing using conventional molds, where the cap separates from the neck along the weakening line without penetrating the material, reducing the need for sharp edges and improving precision and safety by minimizing residue and deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex molds with sharp penetrating elements are used to manufacture closing devices, then the caps can effectively separate the closing element from the neck, but the manufacturing process becomes costly and time-consuming with slow work cycles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffective separation of closing elementVSAvoidwork cycle speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming a weakening line in the neck material during the initial molding process. This weakening line is created as a predetermined fracture path that guides where the material will break when force is applied. By preparing this fracture path in advance, the actual separation process requires significantly less force and time compared to using sharp penetrating elements that must cut through intact material. The weakening line is formed as integral part of the neck structure before the closing operation, enabling faster and more reliable separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If sharp penetrating elements are used in the cap, then the closing element can be separated from the neck, but the molds become complex and costly to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation capabilityVSAvoidmold complexity and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming a weakening line in the neck material during the initial molding process. This weakening line is created as a predetermined fracture path that guides where the material will break when force is applied. By preparing this fracture path in advance, the actual separation process requires significantly less force and time compared to using sharp penetrating elements that must cut through intact material. The weakening line is formed as integral part of the neck structure before the closing operation, enabling faster and more reliable separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If sharp penetrating elements are used to cut the neck material, then the closing element is removed, but deformation and residue remain affecting appearance and user safety

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosing element removalVSAvoiddeformation and residue

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming a weakening line in the neck material during the initial molding process. This weakening line is created as a predetermined fracture path that guides where the material will break when force is applied. By preparing this fracture path in advance, the actual separation process requires significantly less force and time compared to using sharp penetrating elements that must cut through intact material. The weakening line is formed as integral part of the neck structure before the closing operation, enabling faster and more reliable separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the neck material along a predetermined weakening line into distinct segments. The weakening line creates a planned separation path that divides the closing element portion from the main neck structure. This segmentation approach allows for clean, controlled separation without the need for forceful cutting that would create deformation or sharp residues. The fracture follows the pre-defined path, ensuring predictable and safe separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8899429B2Closing arrangement

Publication Date: 2014.12.02 SACMI COOPERATIVA MECCANICI IMOLA SOC COOP ARL

AI summary

A closing arrangement includes a neck having an end closed by a wall and an associated cap. The end of the neck is provided with a weakening line that surrounds the neck. The cap is provided with an opening promoting device arranged for engaging with a further opening promoting device of the wall to separate at least a part of the wall of the neck along the weakening line.