Breakaway Flap Closure for Hermetic Seal Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packages with closures lack an efficient mechanism to transition seamlessly between a hermetically-sealed configuration and a product-dispensing configuration, often requiring complex mechanisms or compromising on tamper evidence.
Innovation Solution
A package design featuring a closure cap with a breakaway flap that pivots relative to the top wall, allowing the package to change from a hermetically-sealed to a product-dispensing configuration by breaking a frangible border, while maintaining tamper evidence through the hinge and push pad mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hermetically-sealed closure is used to maintain product integrity, then product protection is improved, but the ability to transition to a dispensing configuration becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is divided into separate functional components: a closure cap that remains stationary and a breakaway flap that can be separated. This segmentation allows the hermetic seal to be maintained through the closure cap while the flap provides a simple breakaway mechanism for transitioning to dispensing mode, reducing overall mechanism complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible border is pre-formed and positioned to break at a predetermined location when force is applied to the push pad. This preliminary preparation of the breakaway structure eliminates the need for complex mechanical transitions during use, as the separation action is already prepared in advance.
2Ease of operation
If a breakaway mechanism is added to enable transition from sealed to dispensing configuration, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The breakaway function is extracted as a separate breakaway flap component that can be independently removed from the closure cap. This extraction allows the main closure body to remain simple while the flap provides the transition function through a straightforward breakaway action at the frangible border.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing a mechanism that actively opens the seal, the design inverts the approach by creating a seal that passively breaks open when force is applied. The frangible border is designed to fail in a controlled manner, reversing the typical approach where a mechanism actively breaks a seal.
3Productivity
If the breakaway flap is completely separated from the top wall for dispensing, then product dispensing efficiency is improved, but tamper evidence capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge creates a physical copy or record of the opening action by deforming and remaining deformed. This permanent deformation serves as evidence that the package has been opened, providing tamper evidence capability while still allowing the flap to be fully separated for efficient dispensing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge is designed to be discarded (permanently deformed) when the package is opened for the first time, while retaining its function for subsequent dispensing operations. The initial breaking action is discarded to enable future use, and the hinge recovers its utility as a one-way valve mechanism after the permanent deformation.
4Ease of operation
If a hinge is added to provide pivotability and tamper evidence, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing pivotability for the breakaway flap during opening, creating tamper evidence through permanent deformation, and acting as a one-way valve during dispensing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying manufacturing despite the added functionality.
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 solution enables a smooth transition between sealed and dispensing modes, ensuring product integrity and user convenience, while providing tamper evidence to prevent unauthorized access.
Implementation Method 1
The frangible border is configured to at least partially separate from the top wall as the closure changes from the hermetically-sealed configuration to the product-dispensing configuration
Implementation Method 2
The hinge provides a horizontal pivot axis between the flap base and the top wall. The hinge allows the flap base and the push pad to pivot about the horizontal pivot axis after application of a downward force on the push pad by the user
Implementation Method 3
a seal member positioned radially inward from the second side wall. The seal member engages the container to seal between the closure and the container
Data Source
AI summary
A package includes a container and a closure coupled to the container to control release of product therefrom. The closure includes a closure cap coupled to the container and a flip-top cap coupled to the closure cap and configured to pivot relative to the closure cap between a closed position and an opened position.