Reclosable Pouring Element With Steep Thread Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reclosable pouring elements for composite packs face challenges in simple assembly and ensuring reliable penetration of the film at the pouring opening, with potential damage to the underlying PE layer during transport or application.
Innovation Solution
The external thread of the cutting element consists of two steep threaded sections covering a quarter of the circumference, with radially projecting cams for alignment and secure positioning, and a frame element with a steep internal thread for axial movement, allowing the cutting element to be reliably pressed into the frame without full rotation, ensuring the film is pierced without tearing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the cutting element is connected to the frame element via injection molding with connecting bridges, then good cohesion and simple assembly are achieved, but the cutting element may fall out during transport or application
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the cutting element and frame element is divided into two functional parts: injection-molded connecting bridges for initial attachment, and additional radial connecting bridges that are pushed together to provide secondary retention. This segmentation of connection functions ensures both easy assembly and reliable retention during transport and application.
2Ease of operation
If the cutting element has a standard pitch thread, then easy assembly is achieved, but the film penetration is unreliable and may tear the PE layer
Solution Approach 1:
The thread pitch parameter is changed from a standard pitch to a steep pitch for the external thread of the cutting element. This parameter change enables the cutting element to move axially quickly into the overcoated pouring opening during screwing, reliably destroying and pressing the foil into the pack interior without tearing it off, while still maintaining ease of assembly through the threaded connection.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cutting element is allowed to rotate freely during assembly, then easy assembly is achieved, but the cutting element may rotate out of the frame element
Solution Approach 1:
Radial connecting bridges are provided that connect the underside of the cutting element to the upper edge of the frame element. These asymmetrically positioned bridges prevent the cutting element from rotating out of the frame element during transport or application, while still allowing straightforward axial assembly through the threaded connection.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a reclosable pouring element for composite cardboard/plastic packaging, particularly packaging for beverages, consisting of a shell element (1) that has a continuous fixing flange (5) and an outer thread (4) and an inner thread (6), a cutting element (2) that has an outer thread (7), and a screw lid (3) with an inner thread (16). After injection moulding, the cutting element (2) is moulded in one piece at the opposite end of the shell element (1) from the fixing flange (5) and is attached to said shell element in one piece by means of connecting bridges (15). When the pouring element is assembled, the cutting element (2) is situated inside the shell element (1). To achieve a particularly simple assembly and to ensure the integrity of the pre-assembled pouring element, the outer thread (7) consists of two thread sections (7A and 7B), each extending approximately around a quarter of the periphery of the cutting element (2) and having a gradient that is steeper than the inner thread (16) of the screw lid (3) and the cutting element (2) has protuberances (10) that jut out radially and are distributed around its outer periphery, said protuberances extending axially from the upper edge of the cutting element (2) beyond the outer thread (7) in such a way that they form a stop for the cutting element (2) that is pressed inside the shell element (1) during assembly.