Pressure-Relief Closure Cap for Tamper-Evident Bottle Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tamper-proof closure caps for bottles are not designed to securely seal and prevent explosion when used with liquids under pressure, requiring separate caps for pressurized and non-pressurized bottles, and existing caps can explode when pressure exceeds a certain threshold.
Innovation Solution
A closure cap with a deformable annular protrusion and a tamper-evident band that allows gas escape through a lateral opening when pressure exceeds a threshold, featuring a metal body, elastomer-thermoplastic gasket, and a plastic tear-off tab, ensuring safe sealing and anti-explosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional tamper-proof closure cap is used to seal bottles containing pressurized liquids, then the liquid can be contained at atmospheric pressure, but the cap cannot retain pressurized gas and may explode when pressure exceeds the threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The closure cap is divided into functionally distinct segments: a rigid capsule portion for structural integrity and pressure containment, a flexible gasket for sealing, and a tamper-evident band for security. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to solve the overall problem of secure pressurized sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure cap employs composite material construction, combining aluminum alloy for the capsule portion with elastomeric materials for the gasket and thermoplastic materials for the tamper-evident band. This multi-material approach enables the cap to simultaneously achieve the necessary mechanical strength, flexibility for sealing, and tamper-evident properties that a single material could not provide.
2Reliability
If the capsule portion is made sufficiently strong to contain pressurized liquid, then pressure retention is improved, but the cap becomes vulnerable to explosion when pressure exceeds the threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule portion is pre-formed with an integrated safety relief feature during manufacturing. This preliminary structural design ensures that when pressure exceeds the predetermined threshold, the relief feature automatically activates to vent excess pressure, preventing catastrophic failure before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure cap incorporates a safety relief mechanism that acts as a protective cushion against overpressure. This feature is designed in advance to absorb and dissipate excess pressure energy through controlled deformation or venting, thereby cushioning the system against the harmful effects of pressure buildup and preventing explosion.
3Device complexity
If a single closure cap design is used for both pressurized and non-pressurized bottles, then device complexity is reduced, but the cap cannot safely handle pressurized liquids
Solution Approach 1:
The closure cap is designed as a universal multi-functional device that can securely seal both pressurized and non-pressurized bottles. The integrated design combines pressure-containing structural elements, flexible sealing components, and tamper-evident features in a single cap that adapts to different bottling requirements without requiring separate specialized caps.
4Reliability
If the tamper-proof band is made strong to prevent unauthorized opening, then security is improved, but the band cannot be easily removed by users
Solution Approach 1:
The tamper-evident band exhibits local quality variations: it is generally strong and rigid to provide tamper-proof security along most of its length, but incorporates a localized weakened section or tear feature that allows easy user removal. This spatial differentiation of mechanical properties enables the band to simultaneously achieve high security and ease of opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The tamper-evident band utilizes parameter changes in its mechanical properties along its structure. The material strength and structural integrity are maintained at high levels for security, while a specific region is designed with altered parameters (reduced thickness, incorporated tear line, or stress concentration feature) that enables easy user removal without compromising overall security.
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 cap effectively seals and prevents explosion by allowing excess gas to escape, maintaining tamper evidence and ensuring safety for pressurized liquids, such as beer and carbonated drinks, while retaining the liquid under pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a gasket, which is manufactured with an elastomer-thermoplastic material, in order to contain the liquids at a pressure
Implementation Method 2
allowing gas escape through a lateral opening when pressure exceeds a threshold
Data Source
AI summary
A closure cap having a hollow cylindrical body. The body includes a capsule-shaped cap portion and an open annular band, which is made integral in a breakable way with the cap portion by a breakable circumferential edge having a narrow thickness. At least one flexible tab is attached to the annular band such that the annular band can be removed by pulling the tab to break the breakable circumferential edge. At least one deformable annular protrusion having an external diameter which is greater than the external average diameter of the cylindrical body is on the side surface of the cap portion. The annular protrusion is configured to deform when a pressure higher than a predefined pressure threshold value is reached inside the cylindrical body. The closing wall is configured to rise following the deformation of the annular protrusion.