Container Neck Finish With Internal Trough For Directed Pouring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional containers lack an efficient mechanism to direct the flow of products, such as liquids and gels, out of the container, particularly in a clean and anti-drip manner, especially when using a closure.
Innovation Solution
The container design includes a neck finish with thickened wall portions and a pour spout configuration, featuring a sealing lip, spout walls, and axially recessed shoulders, which form an internal trough to guide the product flow towards the pour spout, and a closure system with axial clearance to ensure secure and uninterrupted sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional container with closure is used, then the container structure is simple, but the product flow direction cannot be controlled and spills occur
Solution Approach 1:
The container neck is segmented into multiple functional zones: a pour spout portion that directs flow, a sealing lip for closure engagement, and thickened wall portions that form internal troughs. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function while maintaining an integrated container structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal trough formed by thickened wall portions acts as an intermediary structure that guides product flow from the container body toward the pour spout. This intermediate feature controls flow direction without requiring external pouring devices or complex mechanisms.
2Productivity
If a pour spout is added to direct product flow, then pouring efficiency is improved, but the neck finish structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The pour spout functionality is merged with the neck finish structure itself. The pour spout portion and sealing lip are integrated into a single continuous neck finish component, eliminating the need for separate pouring mechanisms while achieving both sealing and directed flow functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The neck finish structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides closure engagement through the sealing lip, directs product flow through the pour spout portion, and creates internal flow guidance through thickened wall portions. This multi-functionality achieves pouring efficiency without adding separate dedicated components.
3Ease of operation
If thickened wall portions are created to form internal trough, then flow direction is controlled, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thickened wall portions and internal trough features are formed during the initial container molding process. By preparing the neck finish structure with predetermined thickened walls before final assembly, the flow direction control feature is created without requiring post-manufacturing operations or additional assembly steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A container includes a neck finish extending from a body and having at least two thickened wall portions circumferentially spaced apart and extending radially inwardly, and including interior surfaces disposed radially inwardly of a neck finish interior surface to at least partially establish an internal trough, and axially facing shoulders axially recessed with respect to a sealing lip of the neck finish.