Container Closure With Recessed Press Latch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional closures for containers with fluent substances are prone to inadvertent opening during shipping and handling, leading to premature leakage, especially in e-commerce scenarios, where packages are subjected to various forces, orientations, and temperatures, and existing solutions like adhesive seals or removable plastic tear bands are either non-reusable or increase manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A closure design featuring a unitarily formed lid and body with a latched configuration that includes a flexible recessed press portion and a resilient spring member, which requires specific user action to open, minimizing the likelihood of inadvertent opening and eliminating the need for additional protective packaging or reusable components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional closure with a hinged lid is used, then the closure can be easily opened and closed by the user, but the closure is susceptible to inadvertent opening during shipping or handling
Solution Approach 1:
The closure incorporates a latch mechanism that proactively prevents unintended opening by requiring a specific two-step user action (depressing the press portion to disengage the latch, then lifting the lid) rather than allowing simple accidental opening. This preliminary anti-action counteracts the vulnerability to inadvertent opening during shipping and handling while maintaining user-friendly operation.
2Reliability
If adhesive seals or film wraps are applied to prevent inadvertent opening, then the closure reliability during shipping is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is integrated directly into the closure body and lid structure, merging the security function with the existing closure components. The press portion is formed as part of the lid, and the latch engages with features on the closure body, eliminating the need for separate adhesive seals or film wraps while maintaining prevention of premature opening.
3Reliability
If adhesive seals or film wraps are applied to prevent inadvertent opening, then the closure reliability during shipping is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The security function is integrated into the molded structure of the closure itself, requiring no additional manufacturing steps for applying separate seals or wraps. The latch mechanism and press portion are formed as integral parts of the closure components, simplifying manufacturing while providing reliable prevention of premature opening.
4Reliability
If a latch mechanism is incorporated into the closure, then the resistance to inadvertent opening is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is implemented with localized features: a latch portion on the closure body, a press portion on the lid, and corresponding engagement surfaces. This localized implementation provides the necessary security function without requiring complex mechanisms throughout the entire closure structure, maintaining simplicity while improving reliability.
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 effectively prevents premature opening during transit and handling, ensuring secure containment of the substance until intended use, while also simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs by eliminating the need for additional protective measures.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient spring member extending into the aperture and biased against the second latch portion
Implementation Method 2
The lid includes a flexible, recessed press portion defining a second latch portion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A closure (40) includes a closure body (54) defining a first latch portion (60) and a lid (56) connected to the body (54) movable between (i) a closed position, and (ii) an open position. The lid includes a flexible, recessed press portion (58) defining a second latch portion (64). The closure body (54) and the lid (56) have (i) a latched configuration with the lid (56) in the closed position wherein the first latch portion (60) and the second latch portion (64) are oriented in a confronting relationship to prevent the lid (56) from moving into its open position, and (ii) an unlatched configuration with the lid (56) in the closed position wherein the recessed press portion (58) is deflected inwardly to move the second latch portion (64) out of the confronting relationship with the first latch portion (60) to permit the lid (56) to move from its closed position.