Hinged Food Container Lid With Tamper-Evident Latch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food container lids lack tamper evidence, ease of assembly, and a cost-effective hinged connection that is functional and durable, particularly when attached to paperboard containers.
Innovation Solution
A lid structure with a rim and flange configuration that includes a living hinge and latch member, providing a secure hinged connection and tamper evidence, while being easily assembled and cost-effective, with options for adhesive or heat sealing attachment to a paperboard container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional lid attachment method (friction fit, screw connection, adhesive) is used, then the lid can be securely attached to the container, but the assembly process becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is divided into separate components: a stationary portion attached to the container and a moveable cover portion that can open and close. This segmentation allows for simpler assembly while maintaining secure attachment, as each portion can be independently formed and attached without complex fastening mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge connection is formed by integrating the stationary lid portion with the container body, merging two components into a single attached unit. This eliminates the need for separate hinge mechanisms and reduces assembly complexity while maintaining secure attachment.
2Ease of operation
If a hinged lid structure is implemented, then ease of access and reuse are improved, but the risk of tampering and lack of tamper evidence increases
Solution Approach 1:
A latch member is pre-positioned on the moveable cover portion to engage with a corresponding feature on the stationary lid portion. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the cover is closed, the latch automatically engages to provide tamper resistance without requiring additional actions from the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch member is designed to automatically engage and disengage through the natural opening and closing motion of the cover. The spring biasing mechanism provides self-service by automatically resetting the latch after engagement, eliminating the need for manual intervention to secure or release the tamper-resistant feature.
3Reliability
If a plastic lid structure is used on a paperboard container, then functionality and durability are enhanced, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic lid components are designed with optimized thickness and structural parameters to provide maximum durability with minimum material usage. The thin-walled construction with strategic reinforcement features maintains strength while reducing material costs and injection molding complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid structure combines paperboard container body with plastic lid portions, creating a composite packaging system that leverages the advantages of both materials. The paperboard provides structural rigidity and cost-effectiveness for the container body, while the plastic portions provide durability and functionality for the lid, achieving cost-effective durability through material complementarity.
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 solution offers a secure, easy-to-assemble lid structure that provides tamper evidence and a cost-effective hinged connection, enhancing the functionality and durability of food containers without increasing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a living hinge member extends between the mount structure and the rim permitting hinged movement of the rim relative to the receptacle
Implementation Method 2
A latch member is mounted to the rim and is operable to move relative to the rim and selectively lock the cover in a lid structure closed position by engaging a portion of the upper lip
Data Source
AI summary
A hinged lid for a food container is provided. The lid structure includes a rim with an attached cover member. The lid structure also includes a mounting structure for mounting the lid structure to a food container. A tamper evidence latch is provided to releasably secure the rim in a closed configuration overlying the open end of the food container. The rim engages an upper rolled lip of the food container sidewall when the lid structure is in a closed configuration.