Screw Cap Alignment Features for Reliable Food Container Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing screw caps for containers with threaded neck portions often experience misalignment due to variations in material expansion coefficients and inaccuracies in the screw application tool, leading to insufficient sealing, damaged threads, and high discard rates.
Innovation Solution
A screw cap design featuring engagement portions, such as protrusions and recesses, and a complementary tool with shoulder portions that ensure precise alignment and locking, minimizing misalignment during the application process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional screw caps and application tools are used, then the capping process can be completed, but misalignment occurs between the cap and neck part leading to insufficient sealing and damaged threads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary alignment mechanism consisting of alignment features (protrusions and recesses) on both the screw cap and application tool that mediate the positioning between them. This intermediary system ensures precise alignment during the capping process, preventing misalignment issues and improving sealing integrity without requiring direct precision between the cap and container neck.
2Adaptability or versatility
If material expansion coefficients vary due to storage conditions, then the cap material expands or contracts, but this causes misalignment with the threaded neck portion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by designing alignment features that accommodate variations in cap dimensions due to material expansion and contraction. The alignment mechanism includes adjustable or tolerant parameters that maintain proper alignment even when the cap material changes size slightly due to storage conditions, thus preserving thread alignment precision.
3Productivity
If the screw application tool has positioning inaccuracies, then the cap can be applied, but misalignment occurs causing oblique application and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by incorporating alignment features on both the screw cap and the application tool that pre-establish the correct positional relationship before the capping operation begins. This preliminary alignment mechanism ensures that even if the application tool has positioning inaccuracies, the cap will be correctly aligned with the container neck, preventing oblique application and damage while maintaining productivity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
A screw cap (200) for containers with a threaded neck portion, comprising a base portion (210) comprising a top surface (212) and a bottom surface (214), an annular portion (220) raised from the base portion (210), the annular portion having an inner surface (224) and an outer surface (222), at least one first threaded portion (252) arranged on the inner surface (224) of the annular portion, wherein the base portion (210) comprises at least one engagement portion (240), such that the screw cap (200) is configured to engage a tool with at least one complementary engagement portion in a process of alignment of the screw the cap and a complementary threaded neck portion. A tool (300) for feeding a screw cap to a screw cap holder and a packaging container for foodstuffs containing such screw cap (200).