Closure with Frangible Utensil for Product Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional closures for containers do not effectively accommodate the insertion of utensils for accessing and manipulating products, especially for fluent and non-fluent materials, and lack efficient design for large volume molding and reduced product reject rates.
Innovation Solution
A closure design featuring a body with a molded utensil connected via frangible connections, allowing the utensil to be detached and stored in the lid, enabling easy access and manipulation of products, and accommodating various container types and finishes through snap-fit or threaded attachments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional closure with a hinged lid is used, then the container can be sealed, but the utensil cannot be easily inserted through the opening for accessing and manipulating products
Solution Approach 1:
The utensil is divided into two parts: a first portion molded with the closure body and a second portion that can be detached. The frangible connection allows the utensil to be segmented into a reusable handle portion (molded with closure) and a disposable working portion (detached for use), resolving the contradiction by enabling utensil insertion without requiring complex opening mechanisms while maintaining sealing integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The utensil is nested within the closure body during manufacturing, with the first portion molded integrally with the closure. The utensil is positioned within the closure interior, allowing it to be stored compactly when not in use, and can be easily removed through the frangible connection without requiring the closure to be opened or disassembled.
2Ease of manufacture
If the utensil is molded separately from the closure body, then the utensil can be easily detached for use, but the molding process becomes more complex and product reject rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first portion of the utensil is merged with the closure body through integral molding, creating a single unitary structure. This combining of the utensil handle and closure body into one molded piece simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces the number of assembly steps, and lowers product reject rates while still allowing easy detachment of the second utensil portion through the frangible connection.
3Ease of operation
If the utensil is permanently attached to the closure body, then the utensil remains secure during transport and storage, but the utensil cannot be detached for accessing and manipulating products
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the utensil portions is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The frangible connection provides a controlled weakness that allows easy detachment when needed for product access, while maintaining sufficient strength to keep the utensil secure during normal transport and storage conditions. The connection transitions from a rigid permanent attachment to a controlled detachment mechanism.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the closure is designed for complex attachment mechanisms, then various container types can be accommodated, but the molding process becomes less efficient and product reject rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure body is designed with universal attachment features that can accommodate various container types through standardized interfaces such as snap-fit or threaded connections. This multi-functional design allows the same closure structure to be used with different container configurations without requiring complex or specialized molding processes, thereby maintaining high molding efficiency and low product reject rates while achieving broad container compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A closure has a body and a lid is molded with the body. A utensil, such as a scoop or spear, is integrally formed with the closure body, and connected to the closure body via frangible connections. The lid includes a utensil-receiving structure for releasably holding the utensil, once it is initially broken away from the closure body, such that the utensil can be attached to the closure lid for storage.