Container Lid Assembly with Automatic Opening Counter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container lids for pill containers are difficult to use, leading to inaccurate recording of medication intake due to complex operating procedures and lack of efficient management for multiple containers, resulting in high production costs and low efficiency during mass production.

Innovation Solution

A structurally improved container lid assembly that automatically updates and displays the number of times opened, allowing for easy connection of multiple containers in series, featuring a movable lid, ratchet ring, rotary symbol ring, and annular housing for accurate tracking and management, facilitating easy pill dispensing and reducing production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a movable lid structure with symbol ring rotation is used to record and display the number of times opened, then the user can track medication intake, but the operating procedure becomes complex and users may forget to rotate the symbol ring, leading to inaccurate recording

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of medication intake recordingVSAvoidsimplicity of operating procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lid structure automatically rotates the symbol ring to the next position when opened, eliminating the need for users to manually update the count. The system serves itself by automatically recording each opening event through the mechanical rotation of the symbol ring, ensuring accurate tracking without requiring user intervention or memory.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The symbol ring is pre-configured with multiple positions representing different medication intake states. When the lid is opened, the symbol ring automatically advances to the next predetermined position, preparing the display for the next medication event without requiring user calculation or manual updating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple containers are used to store different medicines, then medication management is facilitated, but the multiplicity of containers causes confusion and makes it difficult to find specific containers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to store multiple medicinesVSAvoidtime to find desired container

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple containers are connected together through the lid structure, forming an integrated assembly. This merging of separate containers into a unified system allows users to access multiple medications from a single location, eliminating the need to search through separate containers and reducing time loss while maintaining the ability to store different medicines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lid structure serves multiple functions: it seals individual containers, connects multiple containers together, and provides a unified access point for all medications. This multi-functional design allows the system to handle various medication storage needs while presenting a single, easy-to-locate interface for the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If a complex lid structure with movable components and symbol rings is used, then medication tracking capability is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases and production cost rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication intake tracking capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty and production cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lid structure is divided into modular components including the symbol ring, lid body, and connecting mechanisms. Each component can be manufactured separately using standard molding techniques, then assembled through simple snap-fit or threaded connections. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing and quality control while maintaining the full tracking functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex electronic sensors and motors to track lid openings, the invention inverts the approach by using simple mechanical elements like a rotatable symbol ring that passively records openings through the natural motion of opening and closing the lid. This mechanical inversion dramatically simplifies manufacturing while preserving tracking capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11136174B2Container lid assembly

Publication Date: 2021.10.05 WU HUNG KUAN

AI summary

A container lid assembly includes a movable lid, a ratchet ring, a rotary symbol ring, an inner cover, and an annular housing. Once coupled to a container, the container lid assembly can automatically and accurately record the number of times for which it has been opened, thereby reminding the user of whether the contents of the container (e.g., medicine) have been used, lest the user miss a dose of the medicine or retake the medicine unnecessarily. The container lid assembly also allows a plurality of containers to be connected in series to facilitate carrying and management.