Threadless Cap With Minimal Seal Gasket For Neck Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing caps for sealing container necks face challenges in accommodating varying neck dimensions and manufacturing imperfections, leading to increased costs due to the need for multiple types of caps and more material for flexible lips or voluminous seal gaskets.
Innovation Solution
A threadless cap design featuring a disk, tension ring with inwardly extending rib, and a shoulder with inwardly extending projections to support a minimal amount of pliable seal gasket material, allowing for effective sealing across different neck finishes and designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple flexible lips are used to seal various neck dimensions, then sealing adaptability is improved, but material consumption and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented into two distinct components: the cap body made of rigid or semi-rigid material providing structural support, and a separate minimal amount of pliable seal gasket material concentrated at the sealing interface. This segmentation allows the rigid cap to maintain its shape while the small amount of pliable material adapts to various neck dimensions, reducing overall material consumption while maintaining sealing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire cap flexible or using multiple flexible lips distributed around the cap, the invention applies pliability locally only at the sealing interface where it is most needed. The seal gasket material is concentrated at the specific location that contacts the container neck, providing maximum sealing adaptability with minimum material usage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a voluminous seal gasket is used to adapt to various neck dimensions, then sealing adaptability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to expensive seal gasket material
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a voluminous seal gasket that provides excessive sealing material throughout the cap structure, the invention applies seal gasket material partially and only where absolutely necessary - at the sealing interface. This partial application provides sufficient adaptability to various neck dimensions while dramatically reducing the amount of expensive seal gasket material required, thereby lowering manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of seal gasket quantity from voluminous to minimal, and compensates for the reduced material volume by optimizing the placement and concentration of the seal gasket at the sealing interface. The cap body's rigid structure provides the necessary support, allowing the minimal pliable material to effectively adapt to various neck dimensions without requiring large volumes of expensive seal gasket material.
3Reliability
If the cap structure is made robust to accommodate various neck finishes, then sealing reliability is improved, but material consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates a minimal amount of pliable seal gasket material in advance at the sealing interface, which acts as a cushioning element before the cap is mounted on the container. This pre-positioned pliable material absorbs neck surface defects, dents, or scratches due to manufacturing imperfections or handling accidents, providing sealing reliability without requiring a robust and material-intensive cap structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite sealing system combining the rigid or semi-rigid cap body material with a small amount of pliable seal gasket material. This composite structure leverages the strength and dimensional stability of the rigid cap material while utilizing the adaptability and defect-absorbing properties of the pliable seal gasket, achieving sealing reliability with reduced overall material consumption compared to making the entire cap robust.
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 cap provides a cost-efficient, water-tight closure that adapts to various neck dimensions and imperfections, using a minimal amount of seal gasket material for improved sealing performance.
Implementation Method 1
the seal gasket being compressible to provide a seal between the cap and the container
Implementation Method 2
a minimum sealing amount of a pliable seal gasket material supported by the at least one inwardly extending projection
Data Source
AI summary
The present document describes a cap (110) for closing a container (114), the container having a neck (112) with an upper edge (118) defining a discharge opening (116). The cap comprises a lid (122) and a seal gasket (136) for sealingly engaging the neck of the container. The lid has at least one inwardly extending projection (132) for supporting the seal gasket.