Container Closure Assembly with Tethered Lid and Rupturable Bridges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure assemblies for containers filled with pourable food products often require users to handle the lid separately from the container, leading to inconvenience and potential littering, especially when the lid needs to be unscrewed or screwed back on.
Innovation Solution
A closure assembly that includes a lid, a first ring member acting as a tamper-evidence element, a cutting device to rupture a separation membrane, a control device to activate the cutting device, a second ring member coaxial to the first, and a coupling element connecting the lid to the second ring member, allowing the lid to remain coupled to the container with the pouring outlet open.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lid is separated from the container when opening the pouring outlet, then the lid can be removed for cleaning or replacement, but the user needs to keep the lid in one hand and the container in the other, leading to inconvenience and potential littering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible tethering element (string-like connector) that maintains a soft, adaptable connection between the lid and container. This flexible element allows the lid to remain attached during handling while permitting necessary separation for cleaning or replacement, thus improving ease of operation without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tethering element acts as an intermediary component between the lid and container, mediating the relationship by providing a controlled connection. This intermediary element allows the lid to stay attached during use (improving convenience) while still enabling separation when needed (maintaining simplicity for cleaning/replacement).
2Ease of operation
If a tethering element is used to connect the lid to the container, then the lid remains coupled during use, but the tethering element may interfere with the unscrewing and screwing of the lid for opening and closing
Solution Approach 1:
The tethering element is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to flex and move during the unscrewing and screwing operations. The element can temporarily deform or change its configuration during rotation, then return to its tethering function, thus maintaining lid retention while accommodating the rotational motion needed for opening and closing.
Solution Approach 2:
The tethering element's physical parameters (such as its degree of flexibility or tension) are optimized to allow sufficient movement during rotation operations. The element can change its effective length or rigidity during the unscrewing/screwing process, enabling the lid to rotate freely while maintaining attachment, thus resolving the conflict between lid retention and rotation capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the lid is kept attached to the container, then littering is prevented, but the lid may disturb the user during the outpouring of the pourable food product
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into a tethering element that provides minimal interference during outpouring. The element is designed to allow the lid to move independently to some extent, reducing disturbance to the user during pouring while maintaining attachment to prevent littering. The segmented connection permits natural pouring motion without the rigid constraints that would cause disturbance.
Data Source
AI summary
A closure assembly for a container filled or fillable with a pourable product includes a lid, a first ring member, a second ring member, a coupling element connected to the lid and one of the first ring member and the second ring member, at least one rupturable first coupling bridge connecting the first ring member and the second ring member to one another; and at least one rupturable second coupling bridge connecting the second ring member and the lid to one another.