Dispensing Closure Venting Passages Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing closures, such as flip-top closures, face issues with water accumulation and retention between the lid and deck due to inadequate sealing, leading to capillary effects and underpressure that hinder drainage, especially during the cooling process of hot-filled containers.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of venting passages and a liquid guiding rib to facilitate air entry and liquid drainage, with grooves and recesses designed to manage surface tension and promote gravity-driven drainage without creating underpressure, allowing liquid to drain without turning the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal between the lid and deck is provided to prevent liquid ingress, then liquid-tight sealing is improved, but drainage of liquid trapped under the lid is hindered due to capillary effects and underpressure
Solution Approach 1:
The venting passage is segmented into multiple grooves (first groove, second groove, third groove) distributed across the lid structure. This segmentation allows air to enter at multiple locations simultaneously, effectively counteracting underpressure throughout the entire space between the lid and deck, while maintaining the overall sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The grooves are designed with specific width dimensions that are adapted to the surface tension of the liquid. This local quality control ensures that the grooves are narrow enough to prevent liquid from entering and blocking them (utilizing capillary action to repel liquid), while still being wide enough to allow air passage for venting.
2Strength
If drain holes are made small to maintain structural integrity, then structural strength is improved, but drainage efficiency deteriorates due to capillary effects preventing liquid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The venting grooves act as intermediary channels that facilitate air flow without requiring large openings that would compromise structural integrity. The grooves provide a controlled pathway for air to counteract underpressure, enabling efficient drainage through the existing drain holes while maintaining structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove width is carefully controlled within a specific range (0.1-1.0 mm in preferred embodiments) to change the physical parameters of the venting passage. This parameter optimization allows the grooves to permit air flow while preventing liquid entry through capillary action, thus maintaining both drainage efficiency and structural integrity.
3Productivity
If the container is turned on its side to force water out of drain holes, then drainage is improved, but handling complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The venting grooves enable the drainage system to function automatically without requiring external intervention such as turning the container. Air enters through the grooves to counteract underpressure, allowing liquid to drain naturally through gravity and capillary action, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional handling steps.
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
Enhanced drainage efficiency of liquids trapped under the lid, preventing underpressure and ensuring effective liquid removal from the closure system, even when the container is maintained upright post-cooling, thus simplifying handling and reducing the risk of microbial growth.
Implementation Method 1
the lid is provided with one or more venting passages, which allows air to enter under the lid in the closed position
Implementation Method 2
due to the small size of the drain opening in relation to the surface tension of the liquid, in particular water, a capillary effect arises, which may prevent the liquid from draining
Implementation Method 3
the groove has a width which is adapted to the surface tension of the liquid, such that the liquid cannot entirely fill the groove
Implementation Method 4
Here use is made of the capillary effect, which prevents the liquid to enter a too narrow groove
Implementation Method 5
the liquid that is under the closed lid should be able to drain under the influence of gravity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A dispensing closure (1) comprises a closure body (2) adapted to be attached to a container. The closure body (2) has a deck (5) provided with a dispensing orifice (16) and an outer skirt (6) extending from the deck (5). The closure (1) furthermore comprises a lid (3) having a lid top (9) and a lid skirt (10) that extends from the lid top (9) towards a free end (11). The lid (3) is adapted to be positioned in a closed position, in which the free end (11) of the lid skirt (10) engages the deck (9) of the closure body (2). The closure (1) has at least one drain passage (12, 13) to allow drainage of undesirable liquid that may exist under the lid (3) in the closed position. The lid (3) is provided with one or more venting passages (14, 15), which allows air to enter under the lid (3) in the closed position.