Hinged Closure With Segmented Locking Bead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large volume liquid containers, such as blow molded plastic containers, face challenges with closures that are difficult to open and reseal reliably due to manufacturing tolerances and high weight, requiring easy one-handed operation while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A hinged closure with a top deck and outer skirt featuring a locking bead and fragile bridges for indication of use, a fastening flap for deformation, and locking teeth for secure attachment, allowing easy opening and reclosing with a brim for user grip and a sealing lip for containment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the closure is made secure and reliable for sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking bead is divided into multiple segments by gaps, allowing individual segments to be deactivated. This segmentation enables the closure to transition between a secure locked state (when all segments are active) and an easily openable state (when locking segments are deactivated), resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure mechanism transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic openable state through the deformation of the top deck. This dynamic transformation allows the closure to provide secure sealing when closed, while enabling easy opening through controlled deformation that deactivates the locking segments.
2Reliability
If the closure structure is made robust for secure sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking bead serves multiple functions: it provides secure locking when engaged, allows for controlled deactivation through segmentation, and enables easy opening when segments are deactivated. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The top deck is designed as a deformable component that can be bent to deactivate locking segments. This flexible design replaces complex mechanical release mechanisms with a simple deformation action, reducing device complexity while maintaining secure sealing capability.
3Ease of operation
If the closure is designed for easy one-handed opening, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented locking bead allows the closure to accommodate variations in neck finish dimensions. By deactivating specific locking segments through top deck deformation, the closure can adapt to manufacturing tolerances while maintaining easy one-handed opening capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure mechanism changes its locking parameters dynamically. When opened, the deformation of the top deck alters the engagement state of locking segments, allowing the closure to function reliably across a range of neck finish tolerances without requiring high manufacturing precision.
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
Facilitates easy and reliable one-handed operation of liquid container closures, ensuring secure sealing and cost-effective manufacturing by incorporating a hinged mechanism with a locking bead and deformable components for efficient opening and reclosing.
Implementation Method 1
the top section and the bottom section can be interconnected by at least one fragile bridge, which tears during initial opening
Implementation Method 2
The top section and the bottom section are interconnected to each other by at least one hinge
Implementation Method 3
In case, the locking bead is a thread, the undercut is formed with the external thread of the neck finish
Implementation Method 4
the top section and/or the second segment of the locking bead arranged on the top section deforms such that the second segment is released
Data Source
AI summary
Closure (1), for sealing of a neck finish (2) of a liquid container, comprising a top deck (3) and an outer skirt (4) extending from the top deck (3) in an axial direction (z) away from the top deck (3). The outer skirt (4) comprises a top section (5) arranged adjacent to the top deck (2) and a bottom section (6) separated from the top section (5) by a gap (7). The top section (5) and the bottom section (6) are interconnected to each other by a hinge (8). The outer skirt (4) comprises an inwardly protruding locking bead (9) extending along an inner surface (10) of the outer skirt (4), wherein the locking bead (9) at at least one location continues across the gap (7).