Bottle Closure Cap with Controlled Opening Flap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bottle stoppers with shut-off flaps are difficult to open fully with one hand, especially for individuals with smaller hands, as the flap often returns to an intermediate position, requiring repeated manual action to flip over completely.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating controlled-opening means, such as energy-storing elastic members like spring leaves, to ensure the shut-off flap flips over fully with a constant force and movement after a deliberate manual action, allowing independent opening without user accompaniment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the shut-off flap is opened manually by accompanying it with the hand, then the flap can be opened, but it requires repeated manual action and is difficult for individuals with smaller hands
Solution Approach 1:
The spring leaves are pre-compressed between the stopper and the shut-off flap during closure, storing elastic energy in advance. When the locking system is released, this pre-stored energy automatically propels the flap open without requiring the user to manually accompany it through its travel, thus eliminating repeated manual actions and reducing opening time
Solution Approach 2:
The spring leaves provide self-generated opening force that automatically moves the shut-off flap from the locked to the fully open position. The system serves itself by using the stored elastic energy to complete the opening action without external manual accompaniment, making the operation independent of user hand size or strength
2Ease of operation
If the shut-off flap is opened with one hand, then single-handed operation is achieved, but the flap may return to an intermediate position requiring repeat operation
Solution Approach 1:
The spring leaves are pre-compressed to store sufficient elastic energy before opening. This pre-stored energy ensures that when released, the flap receives enough force to complete its full travel to the open position and stay there, preventing return to intermediate positions and ensuring reliable single-handed operation
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member provides continuous self-generated force throughout the opening travel, automatically maintaining the flap in the fully open position without requiring the user to apply continuous manual force or risk the flap returning to an intermediate state
3Reliability
If the shut-off flap uses a locking system with internal peg and pouring hole, then sealed closure is achieved, but manual action is required to disengage the locking system
Solution Approach 1:
The spring leaves are pre-compressed during the closing operation, storing elastic energy that will be released during opening. The user only needs to perform the simple action of pressing the button to disengage the locking system, after which the pre-stored energy automatically completes the opening without requiring the user to manually accompany the flap
Solution Approach 2:
The spring leaves act as an intermediary energy storage mechanism between the locking system and the opening action. The user interacts only with the locking system (pressing the button), while the spring leaves mediate by converting this simple action into the full opening motion through elastic energy release, reducing opening operation complexity
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
Enables reliable, single-handed operation of the shut-off flap to open fully, eliminating the risk of it returning to the initial position and reducing the need for continuous manual effort.
Implementation Method 1
energy-storing elastic members like spring leaves
Data Source
AI summary
A closure device for a container, particularly a bottle, has a stopper called the service cap, arranged at the end thereof, on which a closing flap pivots. The closure device is provided with a locking system and cooperates with a hole in the sealed closure, or can be opened by pivoting. The closing flap has an opening device to guarantee the complete pivoting of the closing flap on opening, by a constant force and a constant movement without manual action of the user, immediately after the same has carried out a voluntary manual operation on the closing flap which is limited to releasing the locking system thereof.