Cap and Spout Assembly with Segmented Thread Orientation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional food packaging, particularly for dairy products like sour cream, faces challenges in maintaining freshness and preventing liquid buildup due to over-rotation of caps and orientation issues, leading to inefficient dispensing and reduced product quality.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible pouch with a spout fitment that includes a spout thread and cap thread with rib contact surfaces to prevent over-rotation, a frangible membrane for easy access, and a resilient valve to manage liquid dispensing without creating negative pressure, ensuring the cap remains aligned and secure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional threaded cap is used on a spout, then the cap can be easily attached and detached, but the cap may over-rotate and lose its predetermined orientation with respect to the spout
Solution Approach 1:
The thread structure is segmented into multiple functional surfaces: a first thread portion with a first thread angle for initial engagement, and a second thread portion with a second thread angle for preventing over-rotation. This segmentation allows the cap to be easily attached while maintaining stable orientation through the differentiated thread geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The spout and cap incorporate asymmetric thread angle configurations where the first thread angle differs from the second thread angle. This asymmetry creates a mechanical stop that prevents over-rotation of the cap while maintaining smooth attachment during normal operation, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and orientation stability.
2Ease of manufacture
If the cap is made axisymmetric for easy manufacturing, then manufacturing is simplified, but over-rotation and orientation control become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is segmented into functional zones with different geometric properties: a first thread engagement zone with a first thread angle and a second thread engagement zone with a second thread angle. This segmentation allows the cap to maintain overall simplicity for easy manufacturing while incorporating precise orientation control features through the differentiated thread portions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the cap and spout thread structure have different local qualities in terms of thread angles. The first thread portion has a first thread angle optimized for engagement, while the second thread portion has a second thread angle optimized for preventing over-rotation. This local differentiation achieves orientation control without complicating the overall manufacturing process.
3Device complexity
If a simple spout structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but liquid buildup and negative pressure issues occur during dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible membrane is incorporated within the spout structure to control liquid flow. The membrane can be selectively breached or opened to allow product dispensing while maintaining seal integrity during storage. This flexible film element prevents liquid buildup and negative pressure issues without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spout structure incorporates a membrane whose physical state or position can be changed during operation. By altering the membrane's state (sealed vs. opened), the system controls liquid flow parameters, preventing buildup and negative pressure while maintaining a relatively simple overall spout structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A food containment and dispensing system includes a collapsible pouch forming a cavity to contain a food product. A spout fitment is coupled to the collapsible pouch and includes a spout that extends from the collapsible pouch. A spout thread extends radially from the spout. The spout thread starts at a spout rib, which defines a spout rib contact surface. A cap is in threaded engagement with the spout, and it includes a cylindrical wall. A cap thread extends radially from the cylindrical wall and terminates at a cap rib, which defines a cap rib contact surface that is in contact with the spout rib contact surface to prevent further rotation of the cap with respect to the spout.