Container Cap With Segmented Tamper-Evident Ring for Smooth Pouring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container caps face issues such as environmental pollution due to discarding the cap body after opening, accidental tearing of the connecting zone, interference with the container neck during pouring, and difficulty in molding the cap due to uneven material distribution in the stable connecting zone.
Innovation Solution
A cap design featuring a tamper evident ring with a joining portion that tears completely around the perimeter, a connecting band separate from the joining zone, and a narrow thickness zone to facilitate molding, ensuring the cap body does not interfere with pouring and can be easily molded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the cap body is permanently connected to the tamper evident ring via a stable connecting zone, then the cap remains connected after opening, but the stable connecting zone is weak and easy to tear accidentally, and the cap body interferes with the neck during pouring
Solution Approach 1:
The joining portion is segmented into multiple bridges distributed around the circumference, separating the tearing function from the connection function. The bridges are designed to tear cleanly at specific locations while the connecting bands maintain the connection between cap body and tamper evident ring, preventing accidental tearing while avoiding interference with the neck.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting bands are extracted as separate structural elements from the traditional stable connecting zone. The connecting bands are positioned radially outward from the bridges and windows, creating a distinct connection path that does not interfere with the neck while maintaining reliable attachment between the cap body and tamper evident ring.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the cap body is permanently connected to the tamper evident ring, then the cap remains connected after opening, but the plastic material does not fill the stable connecting zone uniformly during molding
Solution Approach 1:
The joining portion is divided into discrete bridges and windows arranged in a circular pattern, creating a segmented structure that allows uniform material distribution during molding. The gaps between bridges (windows) facilitate material flow and ensure even filling of the joining portion, eliminating the molding defects associated with continuous stable connecting zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting bands are positioned in a radial dimension outward from the central axis, creating a multi-dimensional structure. This radial arrangement allows material to flow more uniformly from the center outward during molding, improving filling uniformity while maintaining connection stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the joining portion includes a stable connecting zone, then the cap remains connected after opening, but it is difficult to mold the cap due to uneven material distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The joining portion is segmented into bridges and windows arranged circumferentially, creating a pattern that facilitates uniform material distribution during injection molding. The windows provide material flow paths that ensure even filling, making the molding process easier while maintaining connection stability through the bridges.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes the geometric parameters of the joining portion by introducing windows with specific dimensions and bridge thicknesses optimized for material flow. These parameter changes facilitate uniform material distribution during molding, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining the structural integrity needed for connection stability.
4Ease of operation
If the cap body is discarded after opening, then there is no connection after opening, but this creates environmental pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The design enables the cap body to be easily opened and discarded by the consumer, while the tamper evident ring with connecting bands remains on the container. The connecting bands are designed to maintain connection after opening, allowing the tamper evident ring to be recovered and reused, reducing environmental pollution from discarded caps.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting function is extracted from the cap body and assigned to the tamper evident ring with connecting bands. This allows the cap body to be fully discarded after opening while the connecting mechanism remains on the container, enabling both easy opening and reduced pollution through recovery of the connecting structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for making a cap for a container, comprising a step of forming in which the following are: a body, configured to be coupled and uncoupled relative to the neck of the container and including a side wall, which extends around a longitudinal axis, and a transverse wall; a tamper evident ring, configured to remain anchored to the neck of the container even when the body is uncoupled from the neck and including a joining portion where the tamper evident ring is joined to the body, the joining portion being configured to be torn along a full perimeter surrounding the longitudinal axis, wherein the cap comprises a connecting band having a first end connected to the side wall of the body and a second end connected to the retaining portion of the tamper evident ring.