Hinged Pour-Spout Closure for Paperboard-Based Package Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure devices for paper or paperboard-based packages are prone to damage, deformation, and complexity, making them difficult to use and manufacture, while also interfering with pouring operations.
Innovation Solution
A hinged closure device with a pour spout and cap featuring a pivotable lid portion connected by a hinge, allowing easy rotation and flipping for consumer-friendly use, ensuring liquid-tight sealing and easy opening and closing without obstruction during dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hinge closure device is used to prevent lid loss, then the lid portion is retained to the pour spout, but the device becomes more complex and susceptible to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device is divided into distinct functional components: a pour spout with integrated hinge mechanism, a cap with lid portion, and a seal portion. The hinge is segmented into a hinge body and hinge arm, allowing independent movement and reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining retention functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex locking mechanism to retain the lid, the invention uses a simple hinge joint that allows the lid to pivot freely between open and closed positions. The retention is achieved through the hinge connection itself rather than additional fastening elements, simplifying the overall device structure.
2Reliability
If a complex hinge structure is used to ensure stable connection, then the lid and retainment portion are securely connected, but the manufacturing process becomes more comprehensive and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge body is integrated into the pour spout structure, and the hinge arm is formed as part of the cap assembly. This merging of components reduces the number of separate parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining stable connection between the lid and retainment portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge connection uses flexible polymer materials that provide the necessary mechanical strength and flexibility through material properties rather than complex structural design. This allows for stable connection with simpler, more economical manufacturing processes.
3Ease of operation
If the lid portion is made thin and lightweight, then the closure device is easier to operate, but the lid becomes easily damaged or deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The lid portion is constructed from polymer materials that combine flexibility and strength, allowing the lid to be thin and easy to operate while maintaining sufficient durability. The material composition provides the necessary balance between operability and resistance to damage or deformation.
4Ease of manufacture
If the closure device structure is simplified, then manufacturing is more economical, but the device may interfere with pouring operations when open
Solution Approach 1:
The lid portion is designed to pivot dynamically between open and closed positions through the hinge mechanism. When open, the lid can be positioned out of the way to allow free pouring, and when closed, it provides a tight seal. This dynamic positioning allows for simple structure that does not interfere with pouring operations.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a closure device (1) comprising a pour spout (100) and a cap (200), the cap comprising a lid portion (300), a hinge portion (500) and a retainment portion (500), the hinge portion permanently linking the lid portion to the retainment portion and the retainment portion being permanently retained around the pour spout, the lid portion being re-sealably arranged on the pour spout allowing the closure device to be brought between an open position and a closed position. The pour spout comprises an annular longitudinal neck portion (102) extending along an axial direction (z) from a first axial (104) end to a second axial end (106) in a dispensing opening (118). The neck portion further comprises a plurality of external threads (108), occupying, in the axial direction (z) a region (109) located between a first plane (P1) and a second plane (P2), wherein the second plane (P2) is arranged between the first plane (P1) and the second axial end. The hinge portion is having a pivot axis (AP) about which the lid portion is pivotally movable. The pivot axis AP is located between the first plane (P1) and the second axial end (106) of the neck portion. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a paper or paperboard-based package (50) and such a closure device (1).