Dispensing Closure Latch Back Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dispensing closures for containers often face issues where the lid naturally returns to a closed position due to plastic memory, interfering with the dispensing process and making it messy, as existing technologies do not effectively retain the lid in an open position during use.
Innovation Solution
A molded single-piece plastic dispensing closure with integrally molded living hinges and interlocking features that include a latch back mechanism, where a latch bump on the closure deck engages with a latch bead on the cap to securely maintain the lid in an open position, preventing interference during dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lid is made of plastic with memory, then the lid naturally returns to closed position, but the lid interferes with dispensing and fouls the lid surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lid from its natural closed position and secures it in an open position using a latch mechanism. The latch back structure removes the lid from the interfering state by mechanically holding it open, separating the lid's natural tendency to close from its operational position during dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism applies a preliminary counteracting force to prevent the lid from returning to the closed position. By engaging the latch bump with the latch bead before dispensing begins, the system pre-counteracts the plastic memory effect that would otherwise cause the lid to close and interfere with dispensing.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a latch back feature is added to retain the lid open, then lid interference is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch back feature is merged with the existing hinge body and cap structure. The latch bump is formed on the hinge body and the latch bead on the cap, integrating the retention function into the existing components rather than adding separate mechanical elements. This combining approach prevents lid interference while minimizing increases in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is designed to engage automatically when the cap is opened to a sufficient degree. The geometric relationship between the latch bump and latch bead creates self-engagement, eliminating the need for additional actuators, springs, or complex control mechanisms. The structure serves itself by using the cap's own movement to trigger the latching action.
3Ease of manufacture
If integrally molded living hinges are used, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but molding precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The living hinges, latch bump, and latch bead are all integrally molded as a single piece. This merging of multiple features into one molding operation improves manufacturing efficiency by eliminating separate assembly steps, while the integral construction ensures consistent geometric relationships between components that reduce precision variability.
Solution Approach 2:
The design optimizes the geometric parameters of the living hinges and latch features to balance molding precision requirements with functional performance. By carefully selecting hinge thickness, radius of curvature, and latch feature dimensions, the patent achieves reliable latching and hinge operation while maintaining manufacturability through standard molding capabilities.
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 solution efficiently retains the lid in an open position, preventing messy dispensing and ensuring easy closure, while also enhancing molding efficiency and providing a substantial bump structure for secure engagement, thus addressing the issue of lid interference and improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a hinge body (414) having a first living hinge (416a) connecting the hinge body to the closure body (410), and a second living hinge (416b) connecting the hinge body to the cap (412)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~7
AI summary
A dispensing closure (400) for a container includes a closure body (410), a cap (412), and a hinge body (414) having a first living hinge (416a) connecting the hinge body (414) to the closure body (410), and a second living hinge (416b) connecting the hinge body (414) to the cap (412). The cap (412) is hingeably movable from an open position to a closed position overlying an upper wall (418) of the closure body (410). A latch bump (436) is also included and may be located on either the closure deck (424) adjacent to the hinge (414) or on the hinge adjacent to the closure deck. A latch bead (44) is formed on the upper wall (428) of the cap (412).