Inverted Beverage Can Lid Closure Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage can lids with reclosable pouring openings often have complex structures that require modifications to the lid and are prone to unintentional opening, leading to leakage during transport.
Innovation Solution
A lid with a one-piece closure mechanism that pivots perpendicularly from a closed to an open position, featuring a flexible joint and an actuating means that covers the pouring opening in the closed position to prevent accidental opening, allowing for easy installation on standard lids without significant modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a closure means is applied to the pouring opening from the outside and protrudes beyond the lid edge, then the closure is easily accessible for operation, but it can be unintentionally removed and the contents exposed to the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The closure means is inverted by positioning it on the underside of the lid panel rather than the top surface. This allows the closure to be operated through the lid panel while remaining secured underneath, preventing unintentional removal while maintaining accessibility through the actuating means that penetrates the lid panel.
Solution Approach 2:
An actuating means serves as an intermediary element that penetrates through the lid panel to connect the user's external action to the closure means positioned on the underside. This mediator allows controlled operation of the closure while maintaining the security barrier of the lid panel.
2Reliability
If a closure means is arranged inside the beverage can pressed against the pouring opening by spring force, then the closure is secure and liquid-tight, but the structure becomes extremely complicated and requires significant changes to the can lid
Solution Approach 1:
The complex spring force mechanism is extracted and replaced by a simpler actuating means that penetrates the lid panel. The closure means remains on the underside of the lid, eliminating the need for internal spring mechanisms while maintaining secure closure through the actuating means that can be manually operated.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure system is segmented into distinct functional parts: the closure means positioned on the underside for secure sealing, the actuating means penetrating the lid panel for user operation, and the lid panel itself as the structural barrier. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a closure means is attached to the lid with rivet connection and designed as tear-off tab, then the closure can be operated, but it requires structural changes to the lid area and the edge region remains unchanged which complicates installation
Solution Approach 1:
The closure means is designed with universal applicability to standard lid structures. By positioning the closure on the underside and using a simple attachment method that integrates with existing lid features, the system can be installed on commercially available lids without requiring specialized structural changes, making it universally applicable.
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 provides a secure, liquid-tight reclosure that prevents leakage during transport and easy access for emptying, maintaining packaging safety and simplicity in design and manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
a joint (2) which is designed as an area with increased flexibility located between the fastening part (3) and the closure area (4)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a lid (8) of a container, in particular a beverage can, comprising a substantially flat lid surface (9), a preferably folded edge area, wherein at least one re-closable pour opening (10) is provided on the lid surface (9), an essentially one-piece closure means (1) associated to the pour opening (10) and being attached in a rotationally fixed manner and in its entirety to the bottom side of the lid surface (9), and an actuation means (6) connected to the closure means (1) and penetrating the lid surface (9), said actuation means (9) being disposed on the top side of the lid surface (9) and being accessible from the outside, wherein the closure means (1) can be moved from a closed position to an open position by actuating the actuation means (6), and the actuation means (6) comprises a support element (12, 12', 14, 15) for cooperation with the lid surface (9) when the closure means (1) is in the open position, and the closure means (1) can be moved from the closed position to the open position essentially perpendicular to the lid surface (9) and the actuation means (6) covers the pour opening (10) in the closed position.