Push-Button Closure Score Line for Low-Force Vacuum Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container closures require excessive force to open due to large tear panels and are difficult to open under negative pressure conditions, such as in vacuum-sealed glass jars.
Innovation Solution
A container closure with a force concentrating construction that includes a limited container opening defined by a score line, allowing for a small opening that requires minimal force to open, utilizing a shifted material line that separates the tear panel from the end panel with a minor distance, thereby reducing the force needed for opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a large tear panel is used in container closure, then the opening size is increased, but the force required to open the container increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The score line is segmented into multiple sections (first score line section, second score line section, third score line section) that separate at different stages. This segmentation allows the tear panel to be separated in a controlled manner, creating a small initial opening without requiring excessive force, while still providing adequate opening size for access.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the score line have different properties - the first score line section is positioned to create a small initial opening with minimal force, while the second and third sections provide additional separation paths. This local differentiation allows the closure to require minimal force at the critical opening point while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Reliability
If a vacuum seal is applied to glass jar, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the difficulty to open the lid increases under negative pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-section score line creates progressive separation points that allow the lid to be opened incrementally. Under negative pressure, the user can apply force at the push button location to initiate separation at the first score line section, creating a small opening that equalizes pressure before completing the separation, making opening easier while maintaining vacuum seal integrity during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The push button structure acts as an intermediary that concentrates user applied force to a specific location on the tear panel. This intermediary mechanism translates minimal user force into sufficient separation force at the score line, enabling easy opening of vacuum-sealed jars without requiring the user to overcome the entire vacuum pressure directly.
3Ease of operation
If the score line extends entirely about the tear panel, then the separation is complete, but the force required to separate the panels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The score line is deliberately not continuous - it is divided into multiple sections with gaps between them. This segmentation allows the tear panel to separate at discrete points rather than requiring simultaneous separation along the entire perimeter, significantly reducing the force needed while still achieving adequate panel separation for access.
Solution Approach 2:
The score line provides more separation paths than strictly necessary (first, second, and third sections), but the user only needs to initiate separation at one location. This partial action approach allows easy opening with minimal force while providing redundant separation paths that ensure complete separation if needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A container closure includes a generally planar body having a product side and a customer side. The container closure body defines a limited container opening and an actuation location. Further, the container body includes a force concentrating construction disposed adjacent the limited container opening.