Tethered Plastic Cap Torsion-Bar Structure for Stable Open Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plastic caps for bottles lack stability and ease of use, particularly in maintaining a secure open position, and do not comply with environmental regulations requiring caps to remain attached to containers throughout their use.
Innovation Solution
A cap design featuring a retaining ring and tethers that anchor to the container neck, with tethers acting as torsion bars to maintain the cap in an open position, and a fixator with a tongue for enhanced stability and ease of use, manufactured through injection molding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional cap with tear line and security ring is used, then the cap can be opened and closed, but the cap becomes loose and detached during use, violating environmental regulations
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is divided into two functional parts: a removable closing element for opening/closing operations and a retaining ring that remains attached to the container. The separation line allows the closing element to be removed while the retaining ring with tether remains anchored, solving the contradiction between ease of operation and attachment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether acts as an intermediary element connecting the closing element to the retaining ring. This tether with breakable bridges allows controlled separation while maintaining connection, enabling easy cap opening while preventing complete detachment and ensuring regulatory compliance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the fixator is made long enough to ensure stable fixation in open position, then the fixation stability improves, but the fixator deforms and breaks under substantial load during cap opening
Solution Approach 1:
The fixator is positioned on the container neck rather than extending vertically downward, changing its spatial orientation. This dimensional repositioning allows the fixator to engage with the neck structure more effectively, providing stable fixation without requiring excessive length that would cause deformation during opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixator is pre-positioned on the container neck before cap opening, establishing a stable anchor point. This preliminary positioning ensures the fixator is ready to maintain open position stability without bearing excessive loads during the opening process itself.
3Reliability
If multiple tethers and tethering areas are added to improve cap retention, then the attachment reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tether serves multiple functions: it connects the closing element to the retaining ring, provides controlled separation through breakable bridges, and maintains connection during use. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, maintaining reliability while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether integrates the closing element and retaining ring into a single functional assembly. By merging these components through the tether connection, the design achieves reliable retention without requiring multiple separate attachment mechanisms, thus controlling overall structural complexity.
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 design ensures stable and secure attachment of the cap in the open position, enhancing user convenience and compliance with environmental regulations, while allowing easy removal and reattachment, suitable for mass production without additional finishing steps.
Implementation Method 1
tethers acting as torsion bars to maintain the cap in an open position
Implementation Method 2
tethers acting as torsion bars to maintain the cap in an open position
Implementation Method 3
manufactured through injection molding
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention introduces a plastic container cap featuring a cylindrical cap base, a retention ring connected by a rupture bridge, and a fixator. The tethers, incorporating rupture lines at their bottoms, enable the cap's detachment while remaining linked to the retention ring. Upon full opening, the tethers function as a torsion bar, allowing the fixator to exert force, ensuring stable retention in the open position. A key innovation is the fixator's tongue with curved rupture line according to the shape of the tongue. This unique design not only facilitates easy cap opening and closing on a container by reducing resistance but also ensures stable locking after the container is opened.