Dispensing Closure With Cam-and-Rib Locking for Leak Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Toggle action type closures are susceptible to inadvertent opening during manufacturing, shipping, or handling, leading to premature leakage, require high torques for locking and unlocking, and may be difficult to seal liquid-tight, especially in e-commerce scenarios, and often necessitate additional user actions for operation.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing closure with a rotatable actuator featuring ribs on its back region that engage the closure body to maintain the open position, allowing easy and repeatable actuation without special motions, and incorporating a central cam element for frictional engagement to prevent inadvertent opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a toggle action type closure is used, then the closure can be opened and closed for dispensing, but it is susceptible to inadvertent opening during manufacturing, shipping, or handling
Solution Approach 1:
The closure includes a tamper-evident seal that must be broken before the actuator can be rotated from the closed position to the open position. This preliminary action (breaking the seal) prevents inadvertent opening during manufacturing, shipping, or handling, as the seal remains intact unless deliberately broken by a user.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism includes a cam element that engages with a locking surface to prevent rotation of the actuator. This preliminary anti-action (mechanical locking) counteracts any forces that might cause inadvertent opening, requiring a deliberate user action to disengage the lock before the closure can be opened.
2Reliability
If a rotational or twist-type locking mechanism is used, then the closure can be secured, but unacceptably large torques are required for locking and unlocking
Solution Approach 1:
The closure replaces a rotational or twist-type locking mechanism with a push-button actuation system. The actuator includes a push button that, when pressed, releases the locking mechanism without requiring the user to apply large torques. This substitution maintains locking security while dramatically reducing the force requirement for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism uses a spring-loaded cam system that dynamically adjusts the locking force. The spring maintains constant pressure on the cam element, ensuring reliable locking while allowing easy release when the push button is pressed. This dynamic system provides high security during normal conditions but requires minimal force for intentional release.
3Reliability
If additional adhesive seals or film wraps are applied to prevent inadvertent opening, then the likelihood of inadvertent opening is reduced, but the cost increases and manufacturing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The closure integrates the tamper-evident seal as an integral component of the closure body itself, rather than applying separate adhesive seals or film wraps. The seal is molded directly into the closure structure, combining the sealing function with the closure housing. This integration eliminates additional manufacturing steps and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining reliable protection against inadvertent opening.
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 minimizes the likelihood of inadvertent opening, provides improved leak resistance, and facilitates straightforward user operation, while reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a central cam element thereon for frictionally engaging the closure body to maintain the actuator in the open, dispensing position
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing closure (40, 40A, 40B) for a fluent substance-containing system, such as a container, includes a body (54, 54A, 54B) for receiving the fluent substance from the system, and a pivotable actuator (60, 60A, 60B) assembled with the body (54, 54A, 54B). The actuator (60, 60A, 60B) has a back region (116) opposite its outlet end (132) and having a central cam element (150, 150A, 150B) for frictionally engaging the closure body (54, 54A, 54B) to maintain the actuator in an open, dispensing position. The actuator back region (116) further includes at least one rib (160, 160A, 160B) located adjacent to the central cam (150, 150A, 150B) to resist movement of the actuator (60, 60A, 60B) into the open, dispensing position. The rib (160, 160A, 160B) has an initial configuration and a permanently deformed configuration after movement of the actuator (60, 60A, 60B) into the open, dispensing position.