Hinged One-Piece Closure Wedge Seal for Drip-Free Pouring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polymeric hinged closures for containers are prone to product dripping during pouring due to shaking, causing loss and inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece polymeric closure with a continuous wedge seal featuring a surface-tension geometric structure, such as a honeycomb, lattice, or swirl design, that prevents contents from leaking by utilizing surface tension to retain the product within the closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hinged closure is used to allow opening and pouring, then ease of operation is improved, but product dripping occurs during pouring causing loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of shaking (which causes dripping) into a beneficial effect by designing a surface-tension geometric structure that utilizes surface tension forces to retain product within the closure during pouring, transforming the problematic fluid dynamics into a protective mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a specific geometric structure with surface-tension properties to the seal area of the closure, creating a localized functional zone that prevents dripping while maintaining overall closure functionality and ease of operation
2Stability of the object's composition
If shaking is applied to homogenize product before pouring, then homogeneity is improved, but product dripping increases causing inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the harmful dripping effect generated by shaking into a beneficial retention mechanism by designing the seal structure to exploit surface tension forces, causing shaken product to be retained within the closure rather than dripping out
3Ease of manufacture
If a traditional seal structure is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but product retention during pouring is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances product retention by incorporating a surface-tension geometric structure into the seal portion of the closure, creating a localized functional improvement that maintains overall manufacturing simplicity while significantly improving reliability during pouring operations
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 surface-tension geometric structure effectively inhibits product dripping, ensuring contents remain in the closure during pouring and reducing environmental waste by being lightweight and potentially removable.
Implementation Method 1
The continuous wedge seal includes a surface-tension geometric structure being located therein to assist in preventing or inhibiting contents of a container from leaving the one-piece closure when the first closure portion is in an open position
Data Source
AI summary
A one-piece closure includes first and second closure portions. The first closure portion includes a first polymeric top wall portion and a first polymeric annular skirt portion depending from the first polymeric top wall portion. The first polymeric top wall portion includes a continuous wedge seal extending from an inner surface of the first polymeric top wall portion. The continuous wedge seal includes a surface-tension geometric structure being located therein to assist in preventing or inhibiting contents of a container from leaving the one-piece closure when the first closure portion is in an open position. The second closure portion includes a second polymeric top wall portion and a second polymeric annular skirt portion depending from the second polymeric top wall portion. The one-piece closure is adapted to be opened by flipping the first closure portion with respect to the second closure portion via a hinge or pivot point.