Hinged Locking Member for Carton Closure Prevents Splashing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure systems for paperboard cartons face issues such as product splashing during opening, poor compatibility with aseptic cleaning systems, and the risk of tamper evident features becoming detached and contaminating the product, leading to increased complexity and cost in manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A closure system with a flexible locking member attached to the neck that engages with the cap to prevent removal and provides tamper evident security, featuring a hinged locking mechanism that folds inwardly upon cap application, allowing for economical manufacturing and compatibility with aseptic cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a disc is provided within the neck structure to provide tamper evidence and sealing, then tamper evidence and sealing properties are improved, but product splashing occurs during opening
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the frangible disc from the neck structure entirely, extracting the problematic element that caused product splashing during opening. Instead, tamper evidence is achieved through a different mechanism involving a groove and cap engagement features that do not involve a breakable disc, thereby eliminating the splashing issue while maintaining security.
2Reliability
If the cap surfaces engage closely with the neck surfaces to provide a primary seal, then sealing properties are improved, but compatibility with aseptic cleaning systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a localized seal at the orifice end of the neck where the cap meets the neck, rather than requiring extensive surface engagement along the neck length. This localized sealing approach maintains effective sealing properties while leaving the majority of the neck surfaces accessible to aseptic cleaning systems, thereby resolving the contradiction between seal quality and cleanability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the locking member is orientated in a first position to facilitate moulding, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the locking function deteriorates until the cap is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is designed to be dynamic rather than static, capable of rotating from a first position during moulding that facilitates manufacturing to a second position when the cap is applied that engages with the groove to provide the locking function. This dynamic repositioning allows the same component to satisfy both manufacturing ease and functional reliability requirements at different stages of the product lifecycle.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7(c)
AI summary
A closure system comprising a neck (12), a cap (14) engageable with the neck (12) and a locking member (40) attached to the neck (12). The locking member (40) is orientated in a first position with respect to the neck (12) to facilitate moulding of the neck (12) and is orientated in a second position with respect to the neck (12) to prevent removal of at least a portion of the cap (14) from the neck (12). The locking member (40) is moved from said first position to said second position upon application of the cap (14) to the neck (12). Also disclosed is a method of forming the neck (12).