Recyclable Metal Cap With Polymeric Micro-Inserts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing caps for perfumery and cosmetic containers are not recyclable, often cause scratches on the container collar due to friction, and are difficult to separate for recycling, lacking a pleasant user experience and efficient manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A recyclable cap with micro-inserts made of polymeric material, such as epoxy resin, integrated into the inner cavity of the cap, allowing press-on fitting without scratching and ensuring easy separation for recycling, while providing a pleasant tactile and auditory feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a metal cap is used for external protection, then elegance and quality are conveyed, but it causes scratches on the container collar due to friction
Solution Approach 1:
A polymeric coating is applied to the inner surface of the metal cap, serving as an intermediary layer between the metal cap and the container collar. This coating reduces friction and prevents scratching while maintaining the metal cap's aesthetic appearance and protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap combines metal material for the outer structure (providing elegance and protection) with polymeric material for the inner coating (providing low friction). This composite structure resolves the contradiction between metal's aesthetic benefits and its harmful friction effects.
2Reliability
If a plastic cover is added to the cap, then protection is improved, but the cap becomes non-recyclable as the two parts are solidly joined
Solution Approach 1:
The polymeric coating is applied in such a way that it can be separated from the metal cap during recycling processes. The coating serves its protective function during use but can be extracted or degraded to allow the metal cap to be recycled separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymeric coating is designed with specific chemical and physical parameters that allow it to change state or properties under recycling conditions, enabling separation from the metal cap. This allows the cap to provide enhanced protection during use while maintaining recyclability.
3Ease of operation
If a press-on closure with projection and notch is used, then a pleasant tactile and sound effect is achieved, but the cap becomes difficult to separate for recycling
Solution Approach 1:
The press-on closure mechanism is designed with separable components where the projection and notch features are positioned to allow easy disengagement. The segmentation allows the cap to provide tactile feedback during closing while enabling complete separation of the cap from the container for recycling purposes.
4Ease of operation
If thermoplastic material is used for the cap, then flexibility and reduced friction are achieved, but elegance and quality are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cap uses a composite structure combining metal (for elegance and quality) with polymeric coating (for flexibility and reduced friction). This resolves the contradiction by assigning different functional requirements to different materials within the same component.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymeric coating is applied only to the inner surface of the cap where contact with the container occurs, providing local flexibility and friction reduction while the outer metal surface maintains elegance and quality.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a recyclable metal cap 1, as well as the container 2 and cap assembly that includes it, preferably intended for perfumery, cosmetic and similar containers. The cap of the invention comprises one or more sets of micro-inserts 3 of polymeric material that form a contact between cap and a collar 4 of the container, preferably metallic, avoiding frictional scratches between both parts and being configured as scratch-protection elements, as well as being configured to effect the coupling in the closure area to provide a pleasant feeling in use and improve consumer experience.