Dispensing Closure With Wiping Bead for Clean Controlled Pouring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art dispensing closures are not suitable for cleanly dispensing fluent substances like laundry detergent, as they tend to accumulate residual substance and lack controlled dispensing, and they are often difficult to actuate and have complex components.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing closure with a transverse cover having a sealing bead and a wiping bead that moves between closed and open positions, allowing for controlled dispensing and self-cleaning, featuring a pour lip for directing flow and a baffle to restrict flow rate, made from plastic and elastomeric materials for ease of use and assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If prior art toggle action dispensing closures are used, then the closure can seal the container opening, but the closure accumulates residual fluent substance and fails to dispense cleanly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from the main closure body by introducing a separate closing element that can be moved independently. This closing element with its sealing portion can be withdrawn from the closure body to expose the passage, allowing the sealing surface to be cleaned of residual substance while maintaining the sealing function when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic movement of the closing element between closed and open positions. The closing element can be moved from a closed position where it seals against the closure body to an open position where it exposes the passage for dispensing. This dynamic action allows the sealing portion to be cleared of residual substance during the opening motion.
2Reliability
If prior art dispensing closures are used, then the closure can prevent communication between exterior and interior, but the closure is difficult to actuate and has complex components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the closure into separate functional components: a closure body with passage and a separate closing element with sealing portion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the closure body provides reliable sealing when closed, while the closing element provides easy actuation through simple movement between positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different properties to different parts of the closure. The closure body is made rigid to maintain structural integrity and sealing surface, while the closing element is made flexible and resilient to enable easy actuation. The sealing portion of the closing element has specific local properties to ensure effective sealing when closed.
3Reliability
If prior art dispensing closures are used, then the closure can provide sealing function, but the closure lacks controlled dispensing capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic movement of the closing element to control dispensing. When the closing element is in the closed position, it seals against the closure body to prevent dispensing. When moved to the open position, it exposes the passage to allow controlled dispensing. The user can control the rate and amount of dispensing by controlling the position and movement of the closing element.
4Ease of operation
If prior art toggle action closures are used, then the closure can return to closed position automatically, but the closure is prone to accidental opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the closing element by making it flexible and resilient rather than rigid. This allows the closing element to be deflected during actuation and then return to its original closed position due to its resiliency. The flexible nature also allows the closing element to remain securely in the closed position while resisting accidental opening forces.
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 dispensing closure provides a cleaner, controlled dispensing of fluent substances with reduced residual accumulation and easier actuation, while being cost-effective and resistant to accidental opening, suitable for substances with viscosities between 40 and 600 mPa·s.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible, resilient cantilevered sealing portion spaced laterally from the outer wall to define an aperture for receiving the dispensing spout of the body. The resilient cantilevered sealing portion seals against the interior surface of the dispensing spout
Implementation Method 2
The body is provided with a baffle having at least one aperture for restricting flow of the fluent substance through the body
Implementation Method 3
The dispensing spout is provided with a pour lip for directing the flow of the fluent substance out of the dispensing closure
Data Source
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AI summary
A dispensing closure (40) for use with a container (44) includes a body (54) having a dispensing spout (72) with an interior surface (80) that defines at least a portion of a passage (132) for communicating with the container interior to permit the flow of a fluent substance through the body (54). The dispensing closure (40) includes a closing element (56) attached to the body (54). The closing element (56) defines a transverse cover (130) having a closed position relative to the body (54) and an actuated, open position relative to the body (54). The transverse cover (130) has an outwardly projecting toggle tab (58) for being engaged by a user to move the transverse cover (130) from the closed position to the actuated, open position. The transverse cover (130) further has a flexible, resilient cantilevered sealing portion (142) that seals against the interior surface (80) of the dispensing spout (72) with the transverse cover (130) located in the closed position.