Dispensing Closure Piston Perforation and Segmented Metering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing closures for adding flavoring ingredients to bottles lack control over ingredient quantity, often result in incomplete dispensing due to adhesion to capsule walls, and are not reusable or adaptable for different bottles, leading to environmental waste and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing closure with metering chambers and pistons that allow for controlled dispensing of flavoring agents, featuring a separable lock and plastic cutter for precise perforation and discharge into the bottle, enabling multiple uses with various substances and bottles, and ensuring complete content delivery without residue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a capsule cavity is used to contain powder ingredient, then the ingredient can be dispensed into the bottle, but incomplete emptying occurs due to adhesion to capsule walls
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the traditional capsule structure by using a chamber where the powder is contained in a cavity that opens downward toward the bottle, rather than upward. This inversion allows gravity to assist in complete dispensing and prevents adhesion to upper walls, ensuring the entire charge enters the bottle.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure body is divided into multiple separate chambers, each capable of being filled and dispensed independently. This segmentation allows for precise control over the quantity of flavoring agent in each chamber while ensuring complete emptying of each individual chamber without cross-contamination or adhesion issues.
2Reliability
If a lid with special bottle form is required, then the closure can function properly, but it cannot be used with commonly used bottles
Solution Approach 1:
The closure body is designed with a universal threading mechanism that fits standard bottle openings. The chamber configuration and dispensing mechanism are adapted to work reliably across different bottle types and sizes, eliminating the need for special bottle forms while maintaining proper functioning.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lid contains multiple flavoring substance capsules, then flavor variety is provided, but the whole quantity of each ingredient is emptied without quantity control
Solution Approach 1:
The closure contains multiple separate chambers, each capable of holding a different flavoring substance. Each chamber is independently controllable through the selective activation mechanism, allowing precise control over which chamber(s) are activated and how much of each ingredient is dispensed, while maintaining flavor variety.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure employs a dynamic activation system where the consumer can selectively activate individual chambers based on desired flavor combinations and quantities. This dynamic control replaces the static all-or-nothing dispensing of traditional multi-capsule systems, enabling precise quantity control for each flavoring agent.
4Ease of operation
If the closure cannot be reclosed after activation, then the drink is suitable for immediate drinking, but the bottle cannot be safely transported without spilling risk
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is designed with pre-activated and non-activated chambers. The consumer can selectively activate only the required chambers while leaving others sealed and intact. This preliminary selective activation allows the bottle to be safely closed and transported without spilling risk, while still providing immediate drinking capability for the activated portion.
5Reliability
If the inner mechanical systems of the lids are complicated assemblies, then the dispensing function is achieved, but the prime cost adversely affects the final product price
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates complex mechanical activation systems from traditional designs. Instead, it uses a simplified mechanism where the consumer directly activates chambers through intuitive interaction with the closure body, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining reliable dispensing function.
Data Source
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AI summary
The dispensing closure consisting of a closure body with dispensing-metering chambers has the dispensing closure body (1) which has in its bottom part at least two chambers (3) passing into an upper guiding part of the body (1) having a form of guides (2), the cross- section of which coincides with the cross-sections of the chambers (3) in the transition point, while in each of the chambers (3) a piston (4) is situated, having in its upper part a lock preventing unintentional twisting-off of the plastic cover (5), and on its bottom side the piston (4) is fitted with a plastic cutter for perforation of the covering foil (6), while the body (1) containing the pistons (4) is sheltered from upside with a rotationally fitted plastic cover (5) featuring a separable lock (7) preventing any intervention, while the chambers (3) are closed from the body (1) downside with a covering foil (6). The chambers (3) of the dispensing closure are shaped in a form of equal-armed triangle, the longest side of which has a form of circular sector. The piston (4) is hollow in the direction from the circular side of the piston (4) towards the centre. The separable lock (7) against intervention is fitted with an attachment ring. The plastic cutter of the piston (4) is shaped as an extension of the circular edge of the piston (4).