Dispensing Closure Locking Mechanism Prevents Accidental Opening

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispensing closures can accidentally open, leading to product spillage, which may cause damage depending on the product type, and lack effective mechanisms to prevent accidental opening and ensure secure closure.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing closure with a rotatable dispensing part and base, featuring a hingedly connected lid, tamper-evident band, and flow regulation member, which allows secure closure and controlled product flow, preventing accidental opening through a locking mechanism and ensuring secure attachment to a container.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a simple lid is used for dispensing closure, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to accidental opening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of openingVSAvoidaccidental opening prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is designed to be dynamically movable between closed and open positions through a hinge connection, allowing easy operation while maintaining security when closed. The rotatable dispensing part adds another dynamic element that enables users to switch between locked and unlocked states as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The closure is divided into distinct functional segments: a base attachable to the container, a rotatable dispensing part, and a hingedly connected lid. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while contributing to overall reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a rotatable dispensing part with locking mechanism is added, then reliability is improved by preventing accidental opening, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure closureVSAvoidlocking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism utilizes the natural rotational movement of the dispensing part relative to the base. By incorporating co-operating formations that engage at specific rotational positions, the system achieves reliable locking without requiring additional complex components or mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking function is merged into the rotational movement of the dispensing part itself. The co-operating formations are integrated into the basic structure of the dispensing part and base, combining the locking mechanism with the existing rotational capability rather than adding separate locking components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If a hingedly connected lid is used, then ease of operation is improved for controlled dispensing, but reliability worsens due to potential accidental opening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrolled dispensingVSAvoidaccidental opening prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lid's hinged connection allows it to move dynamically between closed and open positions, enabling controlled dispensing when needed. The hinge design facilitates easy manual operation while the overall locking system prevents unintended movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lid is separated as an independent hinged component from the main dispensing part, allowing it to function independently for controlled dispensing. This segmentation enables the lid to be opened slightly for controlled product flow while the main dispensing part remains locked in place.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2019048B1A closure
Publication Date: 2013.07.24 OBRIST CLOSURES SWITZERLAND GMBH
  • EP2019048B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2019048B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2019048B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A dispensing closure (10) is provided and comprises a dispensing part (30) and a base (40). The dispensing part (30) has a lid (90) movable between an open position and a closed position. The dispensing part (30) is moveable relative to the base (40) between a locked position in which the lid (90) is held in the closed position and an unlocked position in which the lid can be moved to the open position.