# US 2016/0251122 A1 · Gecko-like container capping system and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0251122 A1 - Document ID: US20160251122A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/152,159 - Filed: 2016-05-11 - Published: 2016-09-01 - Earliest claimed: 2013-02-28 - Assignees: Empire Technology Development LLC - Applicants: Empire Technology Development LLC - Inventors: Timothy LONDERGAN; Feng WAN; Kenichi HASHIZUME; Scott NEEDHAM - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160251122A1 ## CPC - B65D 41/28: Caps combined with stoppers - B65D 41/02: Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices - B65D 41/023: {with integral internal sealing means} - B29C 45/0055: {Shaping} - B29K 2023/065: {HDPE, i.e. high density polyethylene} - B29K 2023/12: {PP, i.e. polypropylene} - B29K 2067/003: {PET, i.e. poylethylene terephthalate} - B29K 2995/0072: Roughness, e.g. anti-slip - B29L 2031/565: {for containers} - B29L 2031/7158: {Bottles} - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Methods, systems, caps, containers, and assemblies for a gecko-like container capping system are described. A gecko-like cap configured to cover an opening in a container may include an inner surface configured to mate with an opening surface of a container. Setae may be located on a surface of the cap and/or a surface of the container that are configured to oppose movement of the cap away from the container by creating an adhesion force between the inner surface and the opening surface. The cap may include one or more release mechanisms configured to deflect the inner surface away from the opening surface, thereby reducing the adhesion force such that the cap is removable from the container. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of manufacturing a closeable assembly, the method comprising: forming a container by forming an opening surface about an opening; forming a cap by forming an inner surface configured to mate with the opening surface of the container; forming a plurality of setae configured to create an adhesion force between the inner surface and the opening surface, thereby opposing movement of the cap away from the container; and forming at least one release mechanism configured to reduce the adhesion force such that the cap is removable from the container through at least one of contacting at least a portion of the plurality of setae to peel the portion of the plurality of setae away from the opening surface and contacting the opening surface to deflect the opening surface away from the inner surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein forming a plurality of setae comprises forming at least a portion of the plurality of setae on the inner surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein forming a plurality of setae comprises forming at least a portion of the plurality of setae on the opening surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein forming the cap further comprises forming at least one spring mechanism configured to provide a resistive force between the inner surface and the opening surface in a direction that is parallel to a direction of the adhesion force. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein forming the container further comprises forming at least one stopper structure on the container, the spring mechanism being configured to abut the stopper structure on the container, thereby providing the resistive force by pushing against the stopper structure. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein forming the plurality of setae comprises at least one of plastic electrospinning, nanoimprinting, and lithography. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein forming a plurality of setae comprises forming each of the plurality of setae having a diameter of about 10 nm to about 100 μm. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein forming a plurality of setae comprises forming each of the plurality of setae having a length of about 10 μm to about 500 μm. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein forming a plurality of setae comprises forming each of the plurality of setae having a diameter of about 100 nm and a length of about 200 μm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein forming the container comprises forming with a first material and forming the cap comprises forming with the first material. ### Claim 11 The method of claim, wherein forming the container comprises forming with a first material and forming the cap comprises forming with the first material, wherein the first material comprises high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polystyrene, post-consumer resin, K-resin, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polylactic acid, acryl resin, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein forming at least one release mechanism comprises forming to reduce the adhesion force via deflecting the inner surface away from the opening surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein forming the at least one release mechanism comprises forming at least one dimple structure configured to deflect the opening surface of the container when the release mechanism is manipulated such that the adhesion force between the inner surface and the opening surface is reduced. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein forming the container comprises forming by an injection molding process. ### Claim 15 A method of manufacturing a cap configured to cover an opening in a container, the method comprising: forming an inner surface configured to mate with an opening surface of a container; forming a plurality of setae on the inner surface, the plurality of setae positioned to create an adhesion force between the inner surface and the opening surface, thereby opposing movement of the cap away from the container; and forming at least one release mechanism configured to reduce the adhesion force such that the cap is removable from the container. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising forming at least one spring mechanism configured to provide a resistive force between the inner surface and the opening surface in a direction that is parallel to a direction of the adhesion force. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein forming at least one spring mechanism comprises configuring the spring mechanism to about a stopper structure on the container, thereby providing the resistive force by pushing against the stopper structure. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein forming the plurality of setae comprises at least one of plastic electrospinning, nanoimprinting, and lithography. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein forming a plurality of setae comprises forming each of the plurality of setae having a diameter of about 10 nm to about 100 μm. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein forming a plurality of setae comprises forming each of the plurality of setae having a length of about 10 μm to about 500 μm. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein forming a plurality of setae comprises forming each of the plurality of setae having a diameter of about 100 nm and a length of about 200 μm. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the cap comprises a same material as the container. ### Claim 23 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the cap comprises high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polystyrene, post-consumer resin, K-resin, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polylactic acid, acryl resin, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 24 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein forming at least one release mechanism comprises forming to reduce the adhesion force via deflecting the inner surface away from the opening surface. ### Claim 25 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein forming the at least one release mechanism comprises forming at least one dimple structure configured to deflect the opening surface of the container when the release mechanism is manipulated such that the adhesion force between the inner surface and the opening surface is reduced. ### Claim 26 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the cap is manufactured by an injection molding process.