Frangible Lid Spout Closure That Preserves Cup Seal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermoformed lids with dispensing spouts require frequent removal and reattachment, leading to inconvenience and risk of spillage, and removable plugs often become misplaced or detach improperly, compromising the seal between the lid and container.
Innovation Solution
A lid design featuring a flexible connector arm with a frangible tab and tear line, allowing the connector arm to be detached without breaching the seal, and a closure plug that can be inserted into the spout to prevent spillage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a removable plug is provided to close the dispensing spout, then spillage risk is reduced and beverage temperature is maintained, but the plug may become misplaced or inadvertently discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The closure plug is integrated with the connector arm by integral formation, ensuring the plug cannot be lost separately. The plug and connector arm form a single unified component that moves together, eliminating the risk of plug misplacement while maintaining spillage prevention functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector arm serves as an intermediary element that connects the plug to the lid structure. This intermediary component allows the plug to be securely positioned and retrieved while maintaining ease of operation, as the connector arm guides the plug's movement and prevents it from being inadvertently discarded.
2Ease of operation
If the connector arm is securely attached to the lid, then the plug remains in position, but detaching the connector arm may breach the seal between the lid and container
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the connector arm and lid is segmented into two distinct zones: a frangible tab region that allows clean detachment without breaching the seal, and a fixed end region that maintains secure attachment. This segmentation enables the connector arm to be detached for plug removal while preserving seal integrity through the frangible detachment mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the connector arm have different attachment qualities: the fixed end has strong permanent attachment to maintain seal integrity, while the free end has a frangible tab that allows easy detachment. This local differentiation of attachment properties enables both secure retention and convenient removal without compromising the seal.
3Reliability
If the dispensing spout is kept small for reasonable dispensing, then spillage risk during ordinary use is minimized, but dispensing convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector arm provides dynamic positioning capability, allowing the spout to be held in various positions including extended outward. This dynamic adjustment enables convenient dispensing by positioning the spout optimally for the user while the small spout size maintains spillage minimization when not in active use.
Data Source
AI summary
A lid is provided for use as a cover on a beverage container or other dispensing device, wherein the lid includes a dispensing spout therein for dispensing of the container contents therefrom. A flexible connector arm extends around at least a portion of the periphery of the lid and includes a fixed end fixedly attached to the lid at a first arcuate position thereof and a free end frangibly connected to the lid by a frangible tab located at a second arcuate position of the lid. The free end of the connector arm can be detached from the lid by tearing along a tear line provided in the connector arm spaced radially outwardly from the frangible tab. In this manner, detaching of connector arm from the lid occurs by a discrete tear line propagated through the connector arm, rather than through the lid flange, thereby allowing for detachment of the connector arm from the lid without compromising the integrity of the seal between the lid and the cup. A plug may be provided near the free end of the connector arm, which such plug may be removably inserted into dispensing spout of the lid once the connector arm is detached from the lid.