Rolling Closure Rim Sealing for Leak-Tight Receptacles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging technologies, such as metal cans with membrane closures, face issues with leakage due to axial gaps in the snap ring, leading to inadequate tightness and increased material usage, making them unsuitable for sensitive products like high-quality coffee.
Innovation Solution
A tool with radially deflectable rolls is used to apply force to the closure rim of a receptacle, ensuring full circumferential connection to the inner side, reducing material usage while maintaining high tightness, and utilizing a positioning element and heating mechanism for efficient sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If axial gaps are formed in the snap ring to allow radial expansion, then the snap ring can expand to connect the membrane, but leakage occurs at the gap locations reducing tightness
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is divided into multiple independently deflectable rolling elements arranged circumferentially, allowing each element to apply force locally without requiring axial gaps in a continuous structure. This segmentation enables full circumferential force application while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical expansion mechanism (snap ring with axial gaps) with a rolling contact mechanism. The rolling elements apply radial force through rotation rather than through elastic expansion of a gapped ring, eliminating the leakage problem at gap locations.
2Manufacturing precision
If pressing parts with axial gaps are used to avoid channel formation, then channel formation is reduced, but only a subarea of the membrane is connected requiring larger membrane area and increased costs
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing device is segmented into multiple independent rolling elements that can be distributed circumferentially. This allows the entire membrane surface to be contacted and connected without requiring large gaps between pressing parts, optimizing membrane material usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The rolling elements are made deflectable and rotatable, transforming the static pressing operation into a dynamic rolling process. This allows continuous contact and connection of the membrane surface while the rolls rotate, ensuring complete coverage with minimal membrane area requirements.
3Reliability
If the entire area of the raised edge region is connected to the can, then tightness is improved, but material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic rolling action of the deflectable rolls allows efficient connection of the membrane with minimal material. The rolling motion distributes the connection force evenly across the membrane surface, achieving complete tightness without requiring excessive membrane area or material thickness.
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 tool achieves a sealingly attached closure rim around the entire circumference, reducing material consumption and enhancing the receptacle's tightness, making it suitable for sensitive products and clean room conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one roll can be deflected radially outwards, so as to apply a force to the rim of the closure
Implementation Method 2
connect the rim, possibly under the influence of heat, sealingly with the inner side of the receptacle
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention aims at closing a receptacle (1) provided with an opening (2) as tightly as possible while keeping low the amount of material required for a closure (3) used for this purpose. To this end, a tool (10) is suggested that closes the opening (2) of the receptacle (1) by means of the closure (3). The tool (10) comprises a tool plate (12) configured such that it is adapted to be introduced into the opening (2) of the receptacle (1). The tool further comprises at least one roll (11) that is arranged on the tool plate (12). The at least one roll (11) is adapted to be deflected radially outwards from a starting position into a closing position and returns to its starting position, so that a radial force can be caused to act on a closure rim (4) of the closure (3) for a limited period of time, the closure rim (4) being arranged between the at least one roll (11) and the receptacle inner side (5).