Liquid Container Closure with Rotating Flip Cap and Loop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid container closures do not provide a convenient and secure way to access and attach the spout for easy dispensing and attachment to other articles, especially during outdoor activities, requiring an improved design for quick and minimal user manipulation.

Innovation Solution

A closure with a spout and loop member for easy grasping and attachment, featuring a flip cap that rotates between open and closed positions, and a plug seal to prevent leakage, allowing for efficient liquid dispensing and secure attachment to articles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a push/pull type spout with flip top protective cover is provided, then the spout is protected from damage or contamination, but the closure requires more manipulation to access and open the spout

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespout protectionVSAvoidspout access

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flip top protective cover is nested within the closure structure, rotatably mounted on the loop member. The cover contains the spout when closed and can be flipped open to expose it, creating a nested configuration that protects the spout while allowing quick access without requiring complex manipulation of separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The flip top protective cover is designed to be dynamically movable between closed and open positions through rotational movement on the loop member. This dynamic design allows the cover to transition from a protective state to an accessible state with minimal user action, resolving the contradiction between protection and ease of access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a loop member is added for grasping and attachment, then the closure is more versatile for outdoor activities, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment capabilityVSAvoidclosure structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The loop member serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural support for the flip top protective cover, provides a grasping point for users to easily hold the closure, and serves as an attachment point for securing the closure to backpacks or other articles. This multi-functionality increases versatility without significantly adding to device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The loop member is integrated into the closure structure as a single unified component that combines structural support, user interaction, and attachment functions. By merging these functions into one element rather than adding separate components, the design achieves versatility while minimizing increases in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7753240B2Closure for a liquid container

Publication Date: 2010.07.13 NALGE NUNC INTERNATIONAL CORP

AI summary

A closure for a liquid container includes a spout and a loop member extending upwardly from an end wall of the closure. The loop may be sized to receive a user's finger or attachment hardware such as a clip, hook or strap extending through the loop. A flip cap is supported for rotational movement on the loop and is movable between a closed position in which the spout is covered and an open position in which the spout is exposed. The flip cap includes a plug seal that is configured to engage and seal with a top edge of the spout when the cap is moved to the closed position.