Cam-Actuated Container Closure Assembly for Air Aspiration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing product containers with closure assemblies allow air aspiration when turned upside down, leading to potential air bubbles and product flow interruptions, especially when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A closure assembly with a top, base, and follower that provides tactile and auditory feedback, allowing single-handed operation to maintain the closure in a downward facing direction, ensuring the fluid path is sealed or open, and reducing air aspiration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the container is turned upside down for dispensing, then the closure can be opened easily, but air is aspirated into the product causing bubbles and flow interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The closure assembly is designed to function in an inverted orientation, with the closure facing downward during storage and dispensing. This inversion prevents air aspiration while maintaining ease of operation through the cam mechanism that allows simple downward pressing to open the closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism provides tactile and auditory feedback to the user through clicking sensations during operation, confirming when the closure transitions between open and closed states. This feedback ensures proper operation without requiring visual confirmation, maintaining ease of use while preventing improper positioning that could cause air aspiration.
2Reliability
If the closure is kept in downward facing direction, then air aspiration is prevented, but the user cannot easily open the closure
Solution Approach 1:
The closure assembly operates effectively in the inverted position, with the closure facing downward. The cam mechanism is designed so that downward pressing (the natural motion when holding the container upright) opens the closure, while upward motion closes it, making operation intuitive regardless of orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded cam mechanism automatically returns the closure to its closed position after opening, and the design encourages maintaining the closure in the downward facing position between uses. The system self-regulates to prevent air aspiration without requiring active user intervention to maintain proper orientation.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the container is laid on its side to prevent product seeping, then product leakage is prevented, but air aspiration risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure assembly is designed to function reliably when the container is stored upright with the closure facing downward, eliminating the need to lay the container on its side. This inverted design simultaneously prevents both product leakage and air aspiration by maintaining the closure in its optimal sealing position.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism extracts the closure from the bottle body during dispensing and returns it to the sealed position between uses. This mechanical extraction and return system ensures the closure remains properly positioned to prevent both leakage and air aspiration, regardless of container orientation.
4Ease of manufacture
If a simple closure design is used, then manufacturing is easier, but the closure cannot provide tactile feedback for proper operation
Solution Approach 1:
The closure assembly is divided into distinct components: a closure member, a cam mechanism with lobes, and a spring element. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard processes, then assembled to provide the tactile feedback function without requiring complex monolithic manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism acts as an intermediary between the closure member and the bottle body, translating simple linear motion into rotational movement that engages and disengages the closure. This intermediary component provides the tactile feedback through its lobes while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing requirements for all parts.
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 assembly encourages the user to keep the container upright, preventing air aspiration and maintaining product flow, with ergonomic design suitable for single-handed use.
Implementation Method 1
The base includes a central hub defining a cam path having a plurality of opening slots and a plurality of closing slots. The follower is positioned between the top and the base and includes a plurality of top follower teeth engageable with the plurality of top teeth of the top and a plurality of base follower teeth disposed in the cam path of the base. depressing the top relative to the base causes the top teeth to engage the top follower teeth, thereby introducing a rotational moment to the follower, which causes the follower to rotate relative to the top between an open position in which the plurality of base follower teeth are positioned within the plurality of opening slots and a fluid flow path is open to the fluid orifice and a closed position in which the plurality of base follower teeth are positioned within the plurality of closing slots and the fluid flow path is closed to the fluid orifice
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 1E
AI summary
A closure assembly (10) includes a top (160), a base (102), and a follower (140). The top (160) includes a plurality of top teeth (167) extending from the inner surface (168) and arranged around a fluid orifice (162). The base (102) is coupled to the top (160), wherein the top (160) is moveable relative to the base (102). The base (102) includes a central hub (110) defining a cam path (116). The follower includes a plurality of top follower teeth (148) engaged with the plurality of top teeth (167) of the top (160) and a plurality of base follower teeth (149) disposed in the cam path (116) of the base (102). The top (160) and the follower (140) are biased away from the base (102), and depressing the top (160) relative to the base (102) causes the follower (140) to rotate relative to the top (160) between an open position in which a fluid flow path (144) is open to the fluid orifice (162) and a closed position in which the fluid flow (144) path is closed to the fluid orifice (162).