Package Opening Closure With Cam-Guided Two-Stage Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing opening devices for packages with pourable products require complex angular movements and multiple steps for opening and closing, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An opening device with a collar and closure that allows for a combination of rotational and angular movements to control the opening and closing, featuring a cam and cam followers to facilitate a simplified operation, including a cutter for membrane rupture, and a locking mechanism to indicate the closed position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a complex angular movement mechanism is used for opening and closing the closure, then the closure can be positioned accurately, but the operation becomes cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is designed to be dynamically repositionable through a simplified two-stage movement: first rotating around a rotation axis to move between closed and intermediate positions, then angularly moving around a turning axis to switch between intermediate and open positions. This dynamic mechanism allows accurate positioning while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening operation is segmented into distinct stages: (1) rotating the closure around the rotation axis to transition from closed to intermediate position, and (2) angularly moving the closure around the turning axis to transition from intermediate to open position. This segmentation allows each movement to be optimized independently, achieving both precision and simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If multiple movement steps are required for opening and closing, then the closure can be controlled precisely, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure serves multiple functions through its dual-axis movement capability: it can rotate around the rotation axis to control the opening/closing state, and angularly move around the turning axis to switch between positions. This multi-functionality is achieved within a compact structure that integrates both movement capabilities without requiring separate mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation axis and turning axis movements are merged into a single integrated closure component that performs both actions. The closure combines rotational movement around the rotation axis with angular movement around the turning axis in one unified mechanism, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining precise control.
3Ease of operation
If a simplified opening mechanism is used, then the operation becomes easier, but the control over product flow may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The closure provides dynamic control over product flow through its two-position operation (closed and open) achieved via the simplified two-stage movement mechanism. The ability to reliably transition between these states ensures both ease of operation and reliable product flow control, with the intermediate position serving as a stable transitional state.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is described an opening device (3) comprising a collar (4) and a closure (6) controllable between a closing position, an opening position and an intermediate position. The opening device (3) comprises an interaction device (16) comprising a cam element (50) and one or more cam follower elements (51). The opening device (3) further comprises an abutment element (50; 66) connected to the collar (4) and an interaction element (51) configured to abut against the abutment element (50; 66) during rotation of the closure (6) around a rotation axis (B) and such that a further rotation of the closure (6) is inhibited.