Plastic Container Closure Security Ring Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plastic caps with security rings face issues with reliable engagement under axial loads, leading to potential security ring displacement and increased material consumption.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a security ring with slots arranged over the circumference, featuring inwardly inclined wall sections that form engagement means with the container neck, reducing material usage and enhancing holding stability under axial loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If holding means are designed to engage under the holding ring for reliable security, then the security ring is held firmly on the container neck, but the application force required to press the closure onto the container increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The holding means are divided into multiple discrete elements (protrusions or tabs) distributed around the circumference of the security ring, rather than a continuous rigid structure. This segmentation allows each element to independently engage with the holding ring while distributing the application force across multiple contact points, reducing the peak force required during closure application.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding means are designed with elastic or flexible properties, allowing them to deform dynamically during the application process. When the closure is pressed onto the container, the holding means can flex outward to accommodate the holding ring, then return to their original position to provide secure engagement, thereby reducing the force required while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If conventional holding means are used to secure the security ring, then engagement is achieved, but material consumption increases due to additional structural requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a continuous ring structure for the holding means, the design employs discrete segmented elements (protrusions or tabs) that are spaced around the circumference. This segmentation reduces the total amount of material required while maintaining effective engagement with the holding ring at critical points.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding means are constructed using thin-walled or flexible structures that can deform during engagement. This allows the holding means to achieve reliable engagement with the holding ring while using minimal material, as the flexibility compensates for the reduced structural mass.
3Reliability
If rigid holding means are used to prevent security ring displacement under axial loads, then holding stability is improved, but the closure cannot be demolded from the injection mold with little exertion of force
Solution Approach 1:
The holding means are designed with elastic or flexible characteristics, allowing them to dynamically adapt during different stages of the manufacturing and usage process. During injection molding, the flexible holding means can deform to facilitate easy demolding. During subsequent use, the same flexible structure provides stable engagement with the holding ring, preventing security ring displacement under axial loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding means exhibit different mechanical properties under different conditions: they are more compliant during the demolding process (when low force is applied) and become more rigid during normal use (when axial loads are applied). This parameter change is achieved through the elastic properties of the material or structural design that allows the holding means to stiffen under load while remaining flexible during low-force operations.
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
This solution ensures reliable holding of the security ring on the container neck even under increased axial loads, reduces material consumption by up to 5%, and decreases the application force required for closure, while preventing expansion that could lead to damage.
Implementation Method 1
the wall sections are flexible or movable outwards in the radial direction. As a result, the wall sections can be demolded from the injection mold or the injection-molding tool with little exertion of force
Implementation Method 2
the bottom edge is formed by a wall section that is inclined inwards in the radial direction, and that the bottom edge of each slot forms the engagement means for a form-fitting engagement into an abutment arranged in the region of the container neck
Data Source
AI summary
A plastic container closure has a screw cap with a cylindrical casing having an internal screw thread and a lid disc adjoining the casing, a security ring connected by first break-off webs to a free edge of the casing and a holding ring in the region of the container neck. The security ring has slots distributed over its circumference and each have a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the top edge is formed by a section of the security ring that extends in the shape of a circular arc. The bottom edge is formed by a wall section that is inclined inwards in a radial direction. The bottom edge of each slot engages in a form-fitting manner with the holding ring.