Rotating Non-Circular Cap Closure for Reliable Receptacle Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing receptacles with caps are complex in shape, difficult to produce, or require multiple parts, making it challenging to attach the cap to the container in a simple, fast, and reliable manner.
Innovation Solution
A receptacle design featuring a container and cap with a non-circular shaped inner contour of the cap complementary to a non-circular shaped outer contour of the neck, allowing the cap to be attached by rotating it relative to the container, with a twisted non-circular element and pipe configuration for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional closure systems (profiled threads, bayonet lock, wire hanger) are used, then the cap can be attached to the container, but the system becomes complex in shape, difficult to produce, or requires more parts
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is segmented into two functional elements: a non-circular outer contour on the container neck and a complementary non-circular inner contour on the cap passage. This segmentation allows each element to be independently formed during molding, simplifying production while ensuring reliable attachment through their complementary shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment function and the structural form are merged into the basic geometry of the neck and passage components. The non-circular contours serve both as the structural boundary of the components and as the attachment mechanism, eliminating the need for separate fastening parts.
2Reliability
If traditional closure systems are used, then the cap can be securely attached, but the production process becomes more difficult and requires more parts
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is merged with the structural form of the neck and passage. The non-circular outer contour of the neck and the complementary non-circular inner contour of the passage are formed as integral parts of the molding process, eliminating the need for separate fastening components and simplifying production.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-circular contours serve multiple functions simultaneously: they define the structural boundary of the components, provide the attachment mechanism through complementary shapes, and enable rotational attachment motion. This multi-functionality reduces the overall part count and manufacturing complexity.
3Reliability
If complex attachment systems are used, then the cap can be attached to the container, but the attachment process becomes slower and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The non-circular contours are pre-formed during the molding process, so no additional assembly steps are needed to create the attachment mechanism. The complementary shapes are already in place, allowing for immediate and quick attachment by simply rotating the cap onto the neck.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism utilizes rotational motion to transform the complementary non-circular contours from a disengaged state to an engaged state. This dynamic attachment process is faster than traditional threaded or multi-step closure systems, as it requires only a single rotational motion without multiple engagement steps.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The application concerns a receptacle (10) comprising a container (12) and a cap (14), the cap (14) being repeatedly attachable to the container (12) for closure of the receptacle (10), the cap (14) having a passage (16) having an opening (16a) formed therein, the container (12) having a neck (18) for insertion into the passage (16) via the opening (16a) of the cap (14) along a longitudinal axis (A) of the receptacle (10), wherein the opening (16a) of the cap (14) has a non-circular shaped inner contour (20) formed complementary to a non-circular shaped outer contour (22) of the neck (18), wherein an inner circumferential surface of the passage (16) and an outer circumferential surface of the neck (18) are formed so that a form-fitting engagement in the axial direction is generable by rotating the cap (14) relative to the container (12) around the longitudinal axis (A), and wherein the inner circumferential surface of the passage (16) and the outer circumferential surface of the neck (18) are formed so that a press-fitting engagement in a radial direction between the inner circumferential surface of the passage (16) and the outer circumferential surface of the neck (18) is generable by rotating the cap (14) relative to the container (12) around the longitudinal axis (A) after the cap (14) is in form-fitting engagement with the neck (18).