Lid-Spout Assembly Threshold Force Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lid-spout assemblies for pourable food products can unintentionally switch from a closed to an open configuration, leading to unwanted product leakage, especially when the package is dropped.
Innovation Solution
A lid-spout assembly with a hinge element and interaction assembly that requires a specific threshold force to move from a closed to an open configuration, preventing accidental opening and ensuring secure closure with a 'click' sound upon re-closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lid is made detachable from the spout for easy opening, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because the lid can unintentionally move from closed to open configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is designed with a hinge element that enables dynamic movement between closed and open configurations, allowing the lid to be easily opened while maintaining stable closure through the interaction assembly that requires threshold force to switch states
Solution Approach 2:
The interaction assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the lid and coupling ring, mediating the transition between closed and open states through a hinge element that requires exceeding a threshold force to activate, thus preventing unintentional opening while enabling controlled access
2Reliability
If the lid requires high force to open to prevent accidental opening, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The interaction assembly changes the force parameter by requiring exceeding of a specific threshold force to activate opening, while the hinge element provides mechanical advantage that reduces the effective force needed from the user, thus maintaining both reliability and ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a lid-spout assembly for a package. The lid-spout assembly comprises at least a spout having a collar carrying a pouring outlet, a coupling ring arranged around a portion of the collar, a lid and a hinge element hinging the lid to the coupling ring. The lid is controllable between at least a closed configuration and an open configuration. The lid-spout assembly comprises an interaction assembly partially associated to the collar and partially associated to the lid and being designed such to determine a threshold force needed to be exceeded, in use, in order to control the lid from the closed configuration to the open configuration.