Perforating Cap Teeth for Partial Liner Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tube closure assemblies require multiple turns to transition from an open to a closed position, leading to inefficient partial cutting of the closure liner, which can mix with the contents and complicate handling.
Innovation Solution
A tube closure assembly with a cap featuring teeth that allow for a partial cut of the closure liner within an angular range below 360°, distinguishing between perforation and cutting phases to reduce the number of turns required for activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional caps require multiple turns to transition from open to closed position, then the closure liner can be progressively sheared to achieve partial cut, but the handling efficiency is reduced and time is lost during the cutting process
Solution Approach 1:
The cap's rotational movement is segmented into two distinct functional phases: a first angular range (below 360°) dedicated to perforating the closure liner, and a second angular range dedicated to shearing it. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, reducing total activation time while maintaining effective partial cutting.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap transitions from a static multi-turn mechanism to a dynamic system where the punch moves relative to the closure liner during rotation. The teeth on the punch dynamically engage with the closure liner, first perforating then shearing, enabling the entire process to complete in less than one full rotation.
2Ease of manufacture
If the punch is disposed inside the cap and projects to perforate the closure liner, then the closure liner can be cut, but the closure liner risks mixing with the contents of the tube during full cut
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed to perform partial cutting rather than complete separation of the closure liner. The shearing action cuts through a portion of the liner's thickness and perimeter, creating a sealed partial cut that prevents content leakage while avoiding complete detachment that would cause material mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The teeth on the punch are specifically configured to apply localized shearing force at the periphery of the closure liner. This localized action creates a clean partial cut at the edges while leaving the central sealing area intact, preventing material mixing while achieving effective closure.
3Reliability
If three turns are required to transition from flush position to end-of-travel position, then the closure liner can be perforated and progressively sheared, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the key parameter of rotational angle from multiple turns (conventional) to a single rotation below 360°. This parameter change is achieved by modifying the tooth geometry and angular distribution on the punch, allowing the same perforation and shearing functions to be accomplished in a reduced angular range.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds dimensional complexity to the punch teeth configuration (angular distribution, varying heights) to compensate for the reduced rotational angle. By distributing teeth around the punch periphery at different angular positions and heights, the system achieves complete perforation and shearing functionality within a single rotation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a tube closure assembly. The assembly includes a tube head that includes a neck and a closure liner sealing said neck, and a cap that includes a punch provided with at least one tooth. The one or more teeth are configured to peripherally cut said closure liner. The cap is configured to transition from an open flush position, in which the one or more teeth are flush with said closure liner, to a perforation position, in which the one or more teeth perforate the closure liner, then from the perforation position to an end-of-travel position allowing partial cutting of the closure liner, the transition from the perforation position to the end-of-travel position being carried out with an angular rotational range below 360°.