Replaceable Piercing Member for Capsule Closure Film Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capsule closure systems for dispensing solid, granulated, or liquid active ingredients are complex, costly, and require multiple components, making them difficult to fit on conventional filling machines and leading to inefficiencies in dosing and storage, especially when dealing with highly concentrated forms of active ingredients.
Innovation Solution
A plastic closure with an integrated capsule featuring a cylindrical or conical capsule wall, a convex flexible membrane for piercing, and a replaceable piercing member that can be brought into operative contact with the lower face of the membrane, allowing for various types of sealing films and simplifying the production of multiple capsule closures with minimal investment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional capsule closure systems are used, then active ingredients can be dispensed, but the system becomes complex with multiple components and high manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the capsule body, piercing member, and sealing film into a single integrated closure system. The piercing member is formed as one piece with the capsule wall, eliminating the need for separate components. This merging reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the dispensing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated closure system performs multiple functions: the capsule wall provides storage, the piercing member enables film penetration, and the sealing film protects the contents. This multi-functional design replaces traditional multi-component systems, reducing overall complexity while maintaining all necessary functions.
2Ease of operation
If traditional capsule closure systems are used, then active ingredients can be stored, but the system requires multiple individual components that are difficult to fit on conventional filling machines
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the capsule body and piercing member into a single integrated component, the system reduces the number of parts that need to be handled during filling operations. This integration allows the closure to be fitted on conventional filling machines more easily, as there are fewer separate components to position and secure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed piercing member design is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the system cannot accommodate different types of sealing films
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing member is designed as a separate, replaceable component that can be selectively mounted on the capsule body. This segmentation allows different piercing member types to be used with the same capsule structure, enabling adaptation to various sealing film types without redesigning the entire closure system.
Solution Approach 2:
The piercing member is designed to be movable and replaceable rather than fixed, allowing the system to dynamically adapt to different sealing film requirements. This dynamic design maintains manufacturing simplicity for the capsule body while enabling versatility through optional piercing member configurations.
4Quantity of substance
If concentrated active ingredients are used, then package sizes are reduced, but dosing accuracy becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is pre-filled with a precise dose of concentrated active ingredient during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures accurate dosing is built into the product before reaching the consumer, eliminating the need for precise measurement during use while maintaining reduced package sizes due to the concentrated form.
Data Source
AI summary
In a plastic closure (1), preferably configured as a screw cap, a capsule having a chamber (3) is formed with a capsule wall (2), wherein said capsule is closed both by means of a flexible membrane (6) and by means of a film (4) which seals the chamber (3). An active ingredient B to be dispensed is accommodated in the chamber (3). The sealing film (4) can be destroyed or pushed away by means of a piercing member (7). The piercing member (7) is configured to be replaceable. As a result the plastic closure (1) itself can be produced as standard, and the piercing member (7) can be produced customer-specifically for the respective application. The connection between the piercing member (7) and the convex membrane (6) preferably takes place by means of a coupling part (8) which is formed on the lower face of the convex membrane and on which the piercing member (7) having a cup-shaped coupling attachment receptacle (74) can be fitted.