Plastic Beverage Container Ultrasonic Welded Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage dispensing systems lack simplicity, ease of use, and effective protection against contamination, particularly when using plastic containers, and often require external pressure sources or complex mechanisms for dispensing under pressure.

Innovation Solution

A plastic container with a welded neck closure and integrated pressure device suspended from the closure, utilizing ultrasonic welding for a secure and contamination-proof dispensing system that allows for pressure regulation and filling without the need for external screw caps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a screw cap is used to close the bottle neck, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the beverage can be exposed to contamination when the cap is removed for pouring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination protectionVSAvoidclosure structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the screw cap closure from the system entirely, replacing it with a welded closure structure. The neck is closed by welding the closure directly to the container neck, eliminating the need for removable caps and thus preventing contamination exposure while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The closure is merged with the container neck through welding, creating an integrated, sealed structure. This combination eliminates the interface between separate components (cap and neck) that could allow contamination, while the welding process itself provides both closure and structural reinforcement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If an external pressure source is used to dispense beverage under pressure, then dispensing efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and requirement for external components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing efficiencyVSAvoidpressure system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The beverage container itself serves as the pressure source through an integrated pressure regulator system. Gas is introduced into the headspace above the beverage, and the pressure regulator automatically maintains optimal pressure for dispensing without requiring external compression devices or complex pressure control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses gas pressure (pneumatics) introduced into the container headspace to drive beverage dispensing. A pressure regulator controls the gas pressure to maintain optimal dispensing conditions, eliminating the need for mechanical compression devices while achieving efficient pressure-driven flow

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If welding technique is used to fix the closure to the neck, then contamination protection is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination protectionVSAvoidwelding precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The closure and container neck are made from the same or compatible thermoplastic materials, allowing for homogeneous welding. This material compatibility ensures uniform melting and bonding during the welding process, achieving reliable seals without requiring extremely tight tolerances or complex welding procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

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

The solution provides a simple, contamination-proof, and pressure-resistant beverage dispensing system that allows for efficient dispensing under pressure without external pressure sources, ensuring the beverage remains protected and easily accessible through a secure welding technique.

Implementation Method 1

the closure is fixed to the neck by means of welding, in particular ultrasonic welding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic welding: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP2291321B3Container for holding and dispensing a pressurised beverage
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 HEINEKEN SUPPLY CHAIN BV
  • EP2291321B3 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2291321B3 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2291321B3 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Holder (1) for beverage, comprising a container (2) manufactured substantially from plastic, provided with a neck (6) having an opening, wherein the container (2) is filled with beverage (3) and on or in the neck (6) a closure (15) is provided, through which closure extends a dispensing means (4), wherein the closure is fixed to the neck with the aid of at least welding technique and wherein a pressure device (9) is provided for pressurizing the beverage (3) in the container (2) for dispensing the beverage (3) under pressure via the dispensing means (4).