Hinged Cap With Double-Axis Connecting Tab
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hinged caps with tamper evident rings tend to return to a semi-open state due to elastic forces, hindering the flow of liquids and requiring users to manually hold the cap open for complete access.
Innovation Solution
A cap design featuring a connecting tab that acts as a two-axis hinge, allowing the cap body to pivot relative to the tamper evident ring, with arc-shaped connecting lines that thin and bend to maintain the cap in a fully open position, preventing residual liquid contact and ensuring easy pouring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cap body is permanently connected to the tamper-evident ring by means of the hinge, then the cap remains attached to the container neck even when open, but the elastic force of the hinge pulls the cap body back to a semi-open state, hindering liquid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the cap body and tamper-evident ring is divided into two separate pivot axes: the first pivot axis connects the cap body to the connecting tab, and the second pivot axis connects the connecting tab to the tamper-evident ring. This segmentation allows independent movement and positioning of each component, enabling the cap body to be held in a fully open position without being pulled back by hinge elastic forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting tab serves as an intermediary element between the cap body and the tamper-evident ring. It acts as a mediator that transmits movement and force between the two components while allowing the cap body to pivot independently. The connecting tab's geometry and pivot arrangement enable it to maintain the cap body in a fully open position, preventing the elastic force from pulling the cap back to a semi-open state.
2Ease of operation
If the cap body is held in a fully open position, then liquid flow is unimpeded, but the cap structure becomes more complex with additional pivot axes and connecting elements
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting tab combines multiple functions into a single component: it serves as a connection element between the cap body and tamper-evident ring, acts as a pivot axis support, and functions as a positioning mechanism to hold the cap body in the fully open position. This merging reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall cap structure while maintaining the ability to provide unimpeded liquid flow.
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
The cap ensures complete disengagement from the container neck, allowing unimpeded liquid flow and user convenience by maintaining the cap in a fully open position without residual liquid contact, enhancing sealing and usability.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second connecting lines are formed by thinned areas having a lower thickness compared to the thickness of the cap body and compared to the thickness of the tamper-evident ring so as to be able to fold on themselves and remain in a folded position beyond a limiting folding angle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a hinged stopper (1) for a container having a neck. The stopper comprises: - a stopper body (10) pivotally mounted between a closed position and an open position in which the neck opening is released to allow access to the inside of the container; - a tamper-evident ring (11); and - a connecting tab (13) forming a double-axis hinge. According to the invention, the connecting tab (13) is connected to the stopper body (10) by a first connecting line and to the tamper-evident ring (11) by a second connecting line. These connecting lines (16, 17) are opposing concave lines and have a small thickness so that they can bend back on themselves and remain in a folded position beyond a limiting bending angle.