Roller Closure Sealing for Leak-Tight Receptacle Rims

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container sealing technologies, such as those using membranes and snap rings, often result in leaks and increased material costs due to axial gaps and incomplete sealing, making them unsuitable for sensitive or high-quality fillings like coffee.

Innovation Solution

A tool with multiple rollers attached to a tool plate that can radially deflect to apply force to the closure collar, ensuring a complete circumference seal by rotating and applying force to the entire collar, while also allowing for easy removal and efficient use of materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a snap ring with axial gap is used to close the container, then the closing process can be completed, but axial gaps form in the seal leading to leaks and reduced tightness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing tightnessVSAvoidstructure of closing tool
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closing tool is divided into multiple independent pressing elements (at least three pressing parts) that can be arranged at different axial positions. Each pressing element can independently apply force to different sections of the closure collar, ensuring complete circumferential sealing without gaps. This segmentation allows the tool to overcome the limitation of single-gap snap ring designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing elements are arranged at different axial positions along the closure collar rather than at a single position. This multi-level axial arrangement ensures that the entire circumference of the collar is contacted and sealed, eliminating axial gaps that would otherwise exist in single-position pressing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Force

If pressing parts are extended radially to contact the membrane, then sealing force is applied, but axial gaps form where no force is transmitted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradial pressing forceVSAvoidseal completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing device uses multiple pressing parts (at least three) distributed around the circumference of the closure collar. Each pressing part independently applies radial force to its respective section, ensuring complete circumferential coverage without gaps. This multi-point force application eliminates the axial gaps that occur with single-point pressing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple pressing parts work simultaneously to apply continuous radial force around the entire circumference of the closure collar. This continuous force application ensures that every section of the collar is sealed, maintaining complete sealing action without interruption or gaps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Loss of substance

If only a portion of the closure collar is firmly connected to the container, then material expenditure is reduced, but tightness and susceptibility to contamination increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial expenditureVSAvoidtightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The closure collar is divided into multiple sections, each contacted by separate pressing parts. This segmentation allows force to be applied to the entire circumference through multiple distributed points, ensuring complete sealing while using a closure collar of minimal necessary height rather than requiring excessive material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing elements can be adjusted in terms of their axial positioning and radial force magnitude. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves complete circumferential sealing with the minimum necessary closure collar height, avoiding both material waste and insufficient sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution provides high tightness and reduced material costs, making sealed containers suitable for sensitive goods and maintaining low susceptibility to contamination, while being efficient in both production and usage.

Implementation Method 1

exert a force on the collar of the closure and seal it with the inside of the container, possibly under the influence of heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3325349B1Method and tool for tightly closing a receptacle, and tightly closed receptacle
Publication Date: 2021.09.15 TRIVIUM PACKAGING GRP NETHERLANDS BV
  • EP3325349B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3325349B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3325349B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2aa

AI summary

The aim of the invention is to close a receptacle (1) comprising an opening (2) as tightly as possible while keeping the amount of material required for a closure (3) used for this purpose as low as possible. Said aim is achieved by a tool (10) that closes the opening (2) in the receptacle (1) by means of the closure (3). Said tool (10) comprises a tool plate (12) which is designed in such a way that it can be introduced into the opening (2) in the receptacle (1). The tool further comprises at least one roll (11) which is disposed on the tool plate (12). The at least one roll (11) can be deflected radially outward from a starting position into a closing position and returns into its starting position in order to temporarily apply a radial force to a rim (4) of the closure (3), said rim (4) being located between the at least one roll (11) and the inner face (5) of the receptacle.