Closure With Integrated Utensil Platform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container closures face challenges with manufacturing tolerances and irregularities, particularly in metal containers, which affect proper installation, security, and sealing, and there is a need for improved lid latch retention and integrated utensils for easy product access and tamper evidence.
Innovation Solution
A closure system with a resilient seal and tamper-evident features that accommodates manufacturing irregularities, includes a utensil initially attached for easy product access, and a mechanism for storing the utensil within the closure after use, featuring a hinge and frangible connections for secure detachment and reattachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a closure is designed for metal containers with manufacturing tolerances and irregularities, then the closure can accommodate deformations and irregularities in the container end, but the sealing reliability and securement may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The closure base incorporates a movable portion that can change its position and orientation to accommodate variations in the container flange geometry. This movable portion allows the closure to adapt to different manufacturing tolerances and irregularities while maintaining reliable sealing through the resilient seal and proper engagement with the container flange.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure base includes a movable portion that transitions from an initial position during installation to a final secured position. This dynamic movement allows the closure to accommodate irregularities in the container end while achieving reliable securement and sealing in the final installed state.
2Reliability
If a non-removable closure is used to increase consumer confidence and inhibit counterfeiting, then tamper evidence and security are improved, but the ability to access and reuse the container is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is divided into separable components: a closure base that remains on the container and a lid that can be removed. The frangible connection between these components provides tamper evidence when broken, while the removable lid allows consumers to access and reuse the container. The resilient seal maintains sealing reliability even with the segmented design.
3Reliability
If a latch is provided for securing the lid to the closure base, then lid retention and security are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch member is designed to automatically engage with the closure base when the lid is closed, providing securement without requiring manual intervention. The resilient nature of the latch member allows it to self-adjust and maintain secure engagement, reducing the need for complex control mechanisms while ensuring reliable lid retention.
4Ease of operation
If an integrated utensil is provided inside the container for easy product access, then convenience is improved, but the risk of contamination and difficulty of cleaning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The utensil is initially attached to the closure base but is designed to be easily removed by the consumer. The frangible connection allows the utensil to be detached after initial product access, enabling thorough cleaning of both the utensil and the container interior. This extraction approach maintains convenience while eliminating contamination risks associated with permanent utensils.
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 closure system ensures secure and tamper-evident packaging, accommodates manufacturing variations, and provides easy access to the product with an integrated utensil that can be stored within the container, enhancing consumer confidence and operational convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient seal and tamper-evident features that accommodates manufacturing irregularities
Data Source
AI summary
A closure (100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100F, 100G, 100H, 100I) having a base (112, 112A, 112B, 112C, 112D, 112F, 112G, 112H, 112I), a lid (116, 116A, 116B, 116D, 116F, 116I), and a utensil (124, 124A, 124B, 124E, 124F, 124G, 124I) is provided for a container (104). One of the base (112, 112A, 112B, 112C, 112D, 112F, 112G, 112H, 112I) and the lid (116, 116A, 116B, 116D, 116F, 116I) includes a raised platform region (198, 198A) for releasably holding the utensil (124, 124A, 124B, 124E, 124F, 124G, 124I) and includes a recessed region (194, 194A) such that a handle portion (172, 172B, 172E, 172F, 172G, 172I) of the utensil (124, 124A, 124B, 124E, 124F, 124G, 124I) projects beyond the platform region (198, 198A) over the recessed region (194, 194A).