Waved Rim Cap Seal Visibility and Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing caps for liquid food containers with guarantee seals are difficult to inspect for opening, as the seal's condition is not immediately visible to the user, requiring the container to be overturned for inspection.
Innovation Solution
A plastic cap design featuring a waved pattern on the lower free rim of the annular wall, which keeps the guarantee seal visible and provides an ample gripping surface, allowing the seal to be easily inspected without overturning the container, while preventing suffocation hazards through angularly spaced tabs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the guarantee seal is positioned at the lower end of the central body, then the seal provides effective guarantee function, but the seal becomes difficult to inspect as the container must be overturned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the guarantee seal at the lower end of the central body (opposite the base), utilizing the vertical dimension of the cap structure. This dimensional placement allows the seal to remain effective while being accessible for inspection from the bottom side, resolving the contradiction between seal reliability and inspection ease.
2Device complexity
If the lower free rim is made smooth, then the cap structure is simple, but the gripping surface is insufficient for secure handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a waved pattern to the lower free rim, creating a curved, non-linear surface geometry. This curvature provides multiple contact points and increased surface area for fingers to grip, enhancing handling security while maintaining relatively simple cap construction.
3Device complexity
If the annular wall is made solid without tabs, then the cap structure is simpler, but there is a suffocation hazard for children
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the annular wall into segments by adding angularly spaced tabs that project radially outward. These tabs create gaps or openings in the otherwise solid wall structure, preventing complete cap ingestion by children while maintaining structural integrity and minimizing overall design complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A cap (1) for a container or for a straw for a flexible pouch, in particular for containing liquid foods, such as fruit juice and other similar drinks, is provided with a guarantee seal (8) and an annular wall (10) having a lower free rim (10a) having a waved pattern so as to better observe the guarantee seal.