Screwcap Support Rings for Reduced Crimping Distortion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional screwcaps undergo distortion during capping, leading to defects such as leakage, product deterioration, tampering, and undesired pull-offs, which affect the appearance of the bottle.
Innovation Solution
A screwcap design featuring a shell with a first, second, and third support ring, where the third support ring protects the bridge line and reduces distortion, allowing improved crimping and securement, thereby preventing defects and enhancing appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional screwcap design is used during capping, then the capping process is simple, but the screwcap undergoes distortion leading to defects such as bird beaks, facets, and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding support rings at specific locations on the screwcap skirt where distortion occurs during crimping. These rings are positioned at critical zones (proximal to bridge line, distal to bridge line, and between them) to provide localized reinforcement exactly where needed, rather than uniformly thickening the entire skirt. This allows the screwcap to maintain thin-walled construction while preventing defects like bird beaks and facets at vulnerable locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the skirt structure by dividing it into multiple zones with different structural characteristics through the addition of three distinct support rings. Each ring is positioned at a specific location along the longitudinal axis to address different distortion mechanisms: the first ring protects the bridge line area, the second ring maintains appearance quality, and the third ring prevents facets. This segmentation allows targeted reinforcement without affecting the entire structure.
2Reliability
If conventional screwcap design is used during crimping, then the crimping process is straightforward, but the screwcap experiences undesired pull-offs from the bottle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning support rings at specific locations to enhance crimping reliability. The first support ring proximal to the bridge line provides reinforcement during the crimping operation, ensuring the skirt maintains its shape and engages properly with the bottle neck. This localized reinforcement prevents pull-offs without requiring changes to the overall crimping process or equipment.
3Shape
If conventional screwcap design is used, then the production process is efficient, but the appearance of the bottle is negatively affected by defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding a second support ring distal to the bridge line specifically to maintain appearance quality in the visible portion of the screwcap. This ring prevents facets and bird beaks in the aesthetic zone without interfering with the crimping process efficiency. The ring is positioned and dimensioned to be inconspicuous while effectively preventing appearance defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the skirt into functional zones with the second support ring dedicated to appearance maintenance. This allows the capping process to remain efficient while the specific appearance-critical zone receives targeted structural reinforcement. The segmentation enables simultaneous optimization of both productivity and appearance by addressing them at different locations.
4Loss of substance
If the screwcap skirt is thin-walled for efficiency, then material usage is reduced, but distortion occurs during crimping leading to defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding support rings only at critical locations where distortion occurs during crimping, rather than uniformly increasing the wall thickness throughout the entire skirt. This allows the majority of the skirt to remain thin-walled for material efficiency, while localized reinforcement at the first, second, and third support ring positions prevents defects like bird beaks, facets, and leakage during the crimping process.
Data Source
AI summary
A screwcap and a bottle assembly are disclosed. The screwcap seals a neck of a bottle. The screwcap includes a shell extending along a longitudinal axis and configured to be disposed on the neck. The shell includes a head, and a skirt having a nominal outer diameter and detachable connected to the head along a bridge line. The skirt includes a first support ring disposed proximal to the bridge line, a second support ring disposed distal to the bridge line, and a third support ring disposed between the first support ring and the second support ring relative to the longitudinal axis. The first support has a first maximum outer diameter greater than the nominal outer diameter. The second support ring has a second maximum outer diameter greater than the nominal outer diameter. The third support ring has a third maximum outer diameter greater than the nominal outer diameter.