Elliptical Lid Closure System for Low-Force Container Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure systems for containers with non-circumferential shapes, such as those described in British Patent 183040 and US4134513, require tools or excessive force to open, posing a risk of injury and being reusable, whereas US1445068's elliptical design is not universally accessible due to the need for manual dexterity and specific orientation.
Innovation Solution
A closure system featuring an elliptical mouth and recess on the container neck, with an elliptical extension on the lid, where the major axis is 5-15% longer than the minor axis, and a frustoconical configuration, allowing the lid to be easily opened and closed by rotating in opposite directions, using a silent flank to lock and release the lid with minimal effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional closure systems with non-circumferential shapes are used, then the closure can be secured to the container, but excessive force or tools are required to open, posing injury risk and reducing accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs asymmetric geometric configurations where the lid features an elliptical opening with major axis longer than the bottle mouth, creating a specific orientation relationship. The asymmetric positioning of the elliptical opening relative to the circular bottle mouth allows the lid to be easily removed by pulling in any direction without requiring excessive force or tools, thereby resolving the contradiction between secure closure and easy opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the traditional approach by making the lid's opening larger than the bottle mouth, rather than making the lid smaller to fit tightly. This inversion allows the lid to be freely removable without requiring tools or excessive force, while still providing effective closure when placed on the bottle.
2Ease of operation
If existing closure systems are designed for secure closure, then the lid stays closed, but they require manual dexterity and specific orientation to open, reducing universal accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric design of the elliptical opening in the lid, with its major axis longer than the bottle mouth, creates a visually distinct orientation that guides proper placement. Once correctly oriented, the lid can be easily removed by simple pulling motion in any direction, eliminating the need for complex manipulation or specific opening orientations, thus improving accessibility without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid is segmented into distinct functional zones: the elliptical opening portion that provides easy removal, the rim that engages with the bottle mouth, and the body that provides structural support. This segmentation allows each part to perform its function independently, simplifying the opening operation while maintaining secure closure.
3Reliability
If the lid is designed to fit tightly over the bottle mouth, then a secure seal is achieved, but excessive force is required to open the closure
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric configuration where the elliptical opening's major axis exceeds the bottle mouth diameter creates a natural release mechanism. When force is applied to remove the lid, the asymmetric geometry allows the lid to lift off easily without requiring excessive force, while the rim structure maintains reliable sealing when the lid is in the closed position.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing the lid to be smaller than the bottle mouth for tight fit, the invention inverts this approach by making the elliptical opening larger than the bottle mouth. This inversion allows the lid to be freely removable with minimal force while still achieving secure closure through proper positioning.
Data Source
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AI summary
Comprising a body (1) having a neck (4) which comprises at least one opening (2) which is covered by a lid (3) characterized in that: - the neck (4) comprises at least a mouth (7), that defines the opening (2), and a recess (5) in the walls of the neck (4), both the mouth (7) and the recess (5) having an elliptical shape, being the major axis of the ellipse of the mouth (7) and of the recess (5) between 5-15% longer than the minor axis, - the lid (3) comprises an extension (6) shaped as an ellipse directed towards the inner side of the lid (3), the major axis of the ellipse of the extension (6) being between 5-15% longer than the minor axis, - the ellipse of the mouth (7) is smaller than the ellipse of the lid (3), - the recess (5) has a frustoconical configuration that defines an angle α, and - the extension (6) has, in its inner face (9), which is located in front of the recess (5), an inverted frustoconical configuration with respect to the frustoconical configuration of the recess (5), having an angle β and the extension (6) comprises a salient flank (8) which is located in the recess (5).