Polymer Closure Assembly With Non-Planar Torque Ribs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closures with metallic liners are difficult to recycle and require additional seals, increasing costs and complexity, while lacking sufficient retention torque and recyclability.
Innovation Solution
A closure design featuring non-planar torque ribs and a container with laterally extending flanges that resist rotation, allowing for easy assembly and high retention torque without metallic components, facilitating recyclability and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metallic liner is used in the closure, then sealing and attachment properties are improved, but recyclability deteriorates and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the metallic liner component from the closure assembly entirely. The closure body is made of polymeric material without any metal foil or liner, eliminating the multi-material construction that hindered recyclability while maintaining sealing functionality through the polymeric material itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure is constructed from a single polymeric material throughout, creating a homogeneous structure. This uniform material composition allows the entire closure to be recycled through standard plastic recycling streams, eliminating the separation and processing issues associated with composite metal-polymer structures.
2Reliability
If a metallic liner with induction heating seal is used, then attachment reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the induction heating seal layer and associated metal components. The attachment mechanism relies solely on mechanical engagement between the closure body and container opening, removing the complex thermal sealing system entirely.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional planar torque ribs are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but retention torque is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The torque ribs are designed with a curved, arcuate shape that follows the circumference of the closure body. This curvature allows the torque ribs to engage more effectively with the container opening, distributing rotational forces more efficiently and providing enhanced retention torque compared to straight planar ribs.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque ribs are integrated into the polymeric closure body structure, creating a composite-like reinforcement within the single-material construction. The ribs provide structural strengthening and torque resistance while maintaining compatibility with the polymeric material and recycling processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A closure (40) is provided for use in restricting access to a substance that may be stored within a container (44) having at least one laterally extending flange (76) located laterally outwardly of an opening (46) of the container (44). The closure (40) has a body (54) having a deck (58) including at least one orifice (60). The body (54) has an internal wall (62) depending from the deck (58) with means for attaching the closure (40) to the container (44) and the body (54) includes at least one torque rib (74) extending therefrom for confronting at least one laterally extending flange (76) of the container (44) to inhibit relative rotation between the body (54) and the container (44). The at least one torque rib (74) is non-planar.