Hinged Closure Overcap Angle for Liquid Drip Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container closures for liquids like coffee creamer result in undesirable dripping and messiness when pouring, as liquid accumulates on the overcap and drips onto the bottle during use.
Innovation Solution
A closure design featuring a hinged overcap with a biased hinge that angles the overcap at 125 to 145 degrees relative to the base, directing drips into the beverage cup and incorporating an outer ring to confine any liquid that falls on the base, reducing mess and spillage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the overcap is opened for pouring, then the liquid can be dispensed from the container, but liquid accumulates on the overcap and drips onto the bottle creating mess
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful dripping liquid into a beneficial feature by designing the overcap to direct the dripping liquid into the beverage cup. The overcap's geometry and hinge angle (125-145 degrees) are specifically designed so that liquid dripping from the overcap naturally falls into the cup during pouring, transforming the mess problem into a functional feature that ensures complete dispensing of liquid.
2Reliability
If the overcap is closed onto the bottle after pouring, then the container is sealed, but liquid on top of the bottle is pushed around creating further messiness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the liquid that would otherwise create mess on the bottle surface and redirects it into the cup. By positioning the overcap at a specific angle and designing its geometry, the liquid is taken away from the bottle surface and directed into the cup, preventing it from being pushed around during closure.
3Device complexity
If the overcap is positioned at a standard angle, then the structure is simple, but dripping liquid falls onto the base of the closure instead of into the cup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the critical parameter of the overcap's angle relative to the base, specifying it should be between 125-145 degrees. This parameter change ensures that gravity and the overcap's geometry work together to direct dripping liquid into the cup rather than onto the base, while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
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
Significantly reduces mess by ensuring that drips from the overcap fall into the cup rather than the bottle, maintaining cleanliness and convenience during pouring.
Implementation Method 1
a hinge that connects the overcap to the base and is biased to maintain an open position of the overcap relative to the base
Implementation Method 2
the plane of the overcap is angled at 125 degrees to 145 degrees relative to the plane of the base when the overcap is in the open position... any dripping product can fall into the cup instead of falling onto the base of the closure
Data Source
AI summary
A closure can include a base having an opening. The base can be connected to a container such that a liquid in the container, for example a creamer, is pourable through the opening of the closure into a beverage cup. The closure can include an overcap having a plug, and the plug can seal the opening when the overcap is in a closed position relative to the base. A hinge can connect the overcap to the base and be biased to establish and maintain an angle of the overcap when the overcap moves out of the closed position. Liquid retained on the overcap during opening of the overcap can then fall directly into the beverage cup during pouring due to the angle of the overcap in the open position. Any retained liquid ingredient that falls from the overcap onto the base can be confined within a ring on the base.