Hinged Lid Assembly for Secure Latching and Stable Container Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Containers for powdered products like infant nutrition or milk formula are difficult to stack due to their cylindrical shape with circular bases, leading to gaps and instability in displays, and require easy one-handed opening and closing with secure closure.
Innovation Solution
A lid structure with a collar and a lid connected by living hinges, featuring a circumferential ridge and mating elements for stable vertical and pyramidal stacking, and a seal for secure closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If containers have a cylindrical shape with circular base, then they are easy to manufacture and store, but they are difficult to stack tightly and form gaps in displays
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is divided into two separate portions: a first lid portion that covers the opening and a second lid portion that contains the mating element for stacking. This segmentation allows the stacking function to be isolated to a specific component, enabling stable pyramidal stacking while maintaining the simple cylindrical container body for easy manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a vertical stacking dimension by adding the second lid portion with a mating element that protrudes upward. This allows containers to be stacked not only directly on top of each other but also in pyramidal arrangements where containers rest in the gaps between containers below, transforming the stacking geometry from simple vertical alignment to multi-dimensional interlocking.
2Productivity
If containers are stacked in pyramidal displays, then space utilization is improved, but the assembly becomes unstable and easily collapses
Solution Approach 1:
The first lid portion and second lid portion are connected by a living hinge to form an integrated lid assembly. The first lid portion provides the sealing surface while the second lid portion provides the stacking interface. This merging of functions into a single integrated component ensures that both sealing and stacking stability work together seamlessly in pyramidal displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The mating element on the second lid portion acts as an intermediary that distributes the load from containers above across multiple contact points. When containers are arranged in a pyramid, the mating elements engage with the ridges of containers below, creating a stable interlocking structure that prevents collapse while maximizing space utilization.
3Reliability
If a secure closure mechanism is added to prevent undesired access, then product security is improved, but the operation becomes more complex and difficult to perform with one hand
Solution Approach 1:
The living hinge automatically returns the lid to its closed position after opening, and the mating element automatically engages with the complementary element on the container rim when the lid is closed. This self-service mechanism provides secure closure without requiring complex latches or multiple steps, allowing easy one-handed operation while maintaining product security.
4Reliability
If the lid is made to latch securely to prevent accidental opening, then closure reliability is improved, but the opening and closing operation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The living hinge is made from a flexible material that allows the lid to pivot freely for opening and closing operations. This flexible connection provides secure attachment to the container while maintaining simplicity, avoiding the need for complex mechanical latches or fasteners. The flexibility of the hinge material enables easy one-handed operation while the mating element provides reliable latching.
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
Enables stable vertical and pyramidal stacking of containers, facilitating efficient packing and display without collapse, while allowing easy one-handed operation and secure closure.
Implementation Method 1
the lid and the collar being connected together by a first living hinge, providing pivotable motion thereabout between an open position of the lid and a closed position of the lid
Implementation Method 2
the first lid portion and a second lid portion connected together by a second living hinge which traverses the top surface of the lid
Implementation Method 3
the second lid portion comprises a mating element and the collar comprises a complementary mating element, the mating element and the complementary mating element being configured to engage together to latch the lid to the collar in the closed position of the lid
Data Source
AI summary
A lid structure (10) for a container (40) comprises an annular collar (14) for attachment to the container, having an opening (15) for providing access to an interior (56) of the container. The lid structure further comprises a lid (12) for closing the opening, connected to the collar by a first living hinge. The lid comprises a first lid portion and a second lid portion connected together by a second living hinge which traverses the top surface of the lid and is parallel to the first living hinge. The first lid portion covers the opening. The second lid portion comprises a mating element and the collar comprises a complementary mating element, being configured to engage together to latch the lid to the collar in the closed position of the lid, whereby latching and unlatching of the lid structure is provided by a pivotable motion of the second lid portion about the second living hinge.