Threaded Closure Recesses for Grip and Gas Venting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current threaded closures are cumbersome to open, require significant force, and are not environmentally friendly due to the use of materials like plastics; they also lack efficient heat dissipation, lead to waste due to strict dimensional requirements, and are inefficient in gas release and content pouring processes.

Innovation Solution

A threaded closure design featuring a thread support member with discrete recesses that function as fenestrations, reducing weight and material usage while providing a smooth surface for grip and gas passage, allowing for easier opening and pouring without the need for additional components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If gripping protrusions are added to increase friction and grip, then the required lateral force decreases, but the amount of material used increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovegripVSAvoidmaterial
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The thread support member is designed with a porous structure containing multiple cavities, which increases the surface area available for friction without adding significant material. The porous structure provides gripping capability through increased surface contact area while maintaining material efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from adding protrusions (extending outward) to creating cavities (extending inward), utilizing the internal dimension of the thread support member. This dimensional reversal allows grip enhancement through internal surface area while avoiding external material addition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If the thread support member is made stiff to ensure proper fit, then the dimensional precision is improved, but the closure becomes difficult to open and requires high turning force

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefitVSAvoidturning force
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The thread support member incorporates a flexible porous structure with multiple cavities that can deform elastically during the opening process. This flexibility reduces the turning force required while maintaining the stiff external dimensions needed for proper fit with the container neck.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the internal structure parameters of the thread support member by introducing cavities, which alters the stiffness-to-weight ratio and stress distribution. The porous structure allows controlled deformation under torque while maintaining overall dimensional stability for proper fitting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If the thread support member has large volume to provide structural integrity, then the strength is improved, but the heat dissipation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The porous structure with multiple cavities increases the surface-area-to-volume ratio of the thread support member. This enhanced surface area improves heat dissipation efficiency while the strategic placement and sizing of cavities maintain the overall structural integrity and strength of the component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Data Source

PatentEP3356250B1Threaded closure with recess
Publication Date: 2024.07.03 WSM BVBA
  • EP3356250B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3356250B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3356250B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A closure (100) comprising a top wall portion (102), a thread support member (108) extending from said top wall portion disposed with a thread (124), and at least one discrete recess (112) provided on said thread support member. The discrete recess may extend below a surface of and through said thread support member so as to form a fenestration, wherein said fenestration is configured for passage of flowable matter. The thread support member may be provided with a subregion limited by ends of said thread wherein said at least one discrete recess is provided at least partially within said subregion. The discrete recess may be formed as a three dimensional marking.