Tethered Stopper Strip Securing Closure Shell to Transport Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closures for containers, such as plastic bottles, tend to be completely removable after opening, leading to misplacement and interference with the bottle aperture during use, and result in waste if not recycled.
Innovation Solution
A tethered stopper system where the closure shell remains attached to the tamper band, allowing it to be secured away from the bottle aperture, preventing interference and enabling multiple uses without complete removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the closure shell is made completely removable from the bottle, then the ease of operation is improved, but the closure shell may be misplaced or interfere with the bottle aperture during use
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into separate components: the closure shell that can be opened and removed for access, and the tamper band with retention features that remains on the bottle. The strip connects these components, allowing the closure shell to be partially removed while maintaining connection through the retention features on the transport ring, thus preventing misplacement and interference.
2Ease of operation
If the closure shell is completely removed after opening, then the ease of operation is improved, but waste is generated if not recycled
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system separates the closure shell from the retention mechanism, allowing the closure shell to be easily removed for use while the tamper band with retention features remains on the bottle. The strip maintains connection between components, enabling the closure shell to be reused by reattaching it to the retention features, thereby reducing waste.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a tethered stopper with spiral strip is used, then the closure shell remains connected to the bottle, but the elastic properties cause the strip to return to original configuration and the closure shell may still interfere with the bottle aperture
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the connection mechanism into a strip component and a retention feature component. The retention features on the transport ring provide fixed attachment points that prevent the closure shell from returning to interfere with the aperture, while still maintaining connection through the strip.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention features on the transport ring act as intermediaries between the strip and the closure shell, providing fixed attachment points that control the position of the closure shell and prevent it from interfering with the bottle aperture while maintaining the connection.
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 tethered stopper system effectively prevents the closure shell from being misplaced and ensures it remains out of the way during use, allowing for repeated securement and removal, reducing waste and user inconvenience.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic properties of the plastic strip cause the strip to attempt to return to original configuration around the neck finish
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a tethered stopper affixed to a bottle neck finish. The stopper includes a closure shell, a tamper band, and a strip connecting the closure shell to the tamper band at the perimeter of both the closure shell and the tamper band. The bottle neck finish includes a transport ring having a retaining feature configured to receive and retain the strip of the stopper when the closure shell is removed from the bottle neck finish. Also discloses is a method for securing the tethered stopper within the tamper band.