Closure With Dual Hinge And Tamper-Evident Void
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing closures often have issues with the lid returning to the closed position while drinking, interfering with the user, and tamper-evident mechanisms either lack clear indication or pose litter and choking hazards, while also struggling to prevent fluid ingress between closure parts during manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A closure design featuring a dual-hinge system with a deformable section to stabilize the lid in the open position and a tamper-evident mechanism that becomes hidden upon first opening, along with a drainage system to prevent fluid trapping between closure parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a single hinge is used to connect the lid to the base, then the structure is simple, but the lid cannot be held stably in the open position and tends to return to the closed position during drinking
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge arrangement is segmented into a main hinge and a separate auxiliary hinge. The main hinge connects the lid to the base, while the auxiliary hinge connects to a link member that interacts with the deformable section. This segmentation allows the system to achieve stable open positioning through the combined action of both hinges without requiring a single complex hinge mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge arrangement incorporates a deformable section that changes shape when the lid moves to the open position. This deformable section exerts a force on the link member to hold the lid stably in the open position. The dynamic deformation and force exertion enable the lid to be held open without active control mechanisms.
2Loss of information
If a tamper-evident mechanism is made visible upon opening, then it provides clear indication of opening, but it creates litter and choking hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The tamper-evident mechanism is extracted from the main closure body and placed within the void space defined by the base and lid. When the lid is opened, the mechanism becomes hidden within this void rather than being released as separate litter. The mechanism remains part of the closure structure while providing visible indication of opening through its position change.
Solution Approach 2:
The tamper-evident mechanism is nested within the void space between the base and lid. This nesting arrangement allows the mechanism to be contained within the closure structure while still providing tamper evidence functionality. The mechanism moves into or becomes visible within the void upon opening, indicating tampering without creating external litter.
3Reliability
If the closure structure is sealed tightly to prevent fluid ingress, then sealing performance is improved, but manufacturing fluids become trapped between closure parts
Solution Approach 1:
The closure design incorporates a void space that serves as a drainage system for manufacturing fluids. During manufacturing, fluids can drain into this void space rather than being trapped between sealed parts. The void effectively discards the manufacturing fluids from the functional sealing areas while maintaining the tight sealing performance needed for product containment.
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 dual-hinge system ensures stable drinking without lid interference, the tamper-evident mechanism provides clear indication of opening, and the drainage system effectively removes manufacturing fluids, addressing the mentioned issues.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable section which is deformed when the lid is moved to the open position and exerts a force to hold the lid stably in the open position
Data Source
AI summary
A closure (910) comprising a base (912) and a lid (914), the base and lid being joined by a hinge arrangement (932) so that the lid is movable between a closed position and an open position, the hinge arrangement comprising a main hinge (981) and a separate auxiliary hinge (995), in which the lateral extent of the main hinge is greater than the lateral extent of the auxiliary hinge.