Removable Measuring Cap With Funnel and Channel for Liquid Concentrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers with removable measuring caps for liquid concentrates face issues such as liquid dripping onto the cap sidewalls, leading to soiling and leakage, as the threads connecting the cap and container can become stuck and provide an inadequate seal when inverted.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a cap base with a funnel and channel to collect and redirect spilled liquid back into the container, along with a cap top that forms multiple seals with the cap base to prevent leakage and soiling, and a flange with external threads to avoid contact with the liquid, ensuring a secure and leak-proof closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a threaded connection is used to connect the cap to the container neck, then the cap can be securely attached and removed, but the threads can become soiled with liquid material and stick to each other
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the threading function from the cap structure and relocates it to a separate collar component. The collar with internal threads engages with external threads on the container neck, while the cap attaches to the collar without threading. This separation prevents liquid material from traveling along the cap sidewall to contaminate the threads, eliminating the sticking problem while maintaining secure attachment capability.
2Device complexity
If the container is sealed using only the threaded connection, then the structure is simple, but liquid material may leak out when the container is inverted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges three sealing mechanisms into a unified system: (1) the threaded connection between collar and container neck provides mechanical attachment and initial sealing, (2) an internal seal within the collar prevents liquid from passing through the thread interface, and (3) a seal between the cap and collar prevents leakage at the cap interface. This combination of sealing methods ensures leak prevention in inverted positions while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If liquid material drips onto the exterior sidewall of the cap, then the cap can collect the liquid, but the liquid can drip down and soil the container sidewall or underlying surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a collar as an intermediary component between the cap and the container neck. The collar features a lower sidewall that extends below the cap's bottom edge, creating a protective barrier. When liquid material drips onto the cap exterior, the collar's lower sidewall intercepts the liquid before it can reach the container sidewall or underlying surfaces, preventing soiling while allowing the cap to fulfill its liquid collection function.
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 design effectively prevents liquid from dripping onto surfaces and maintains a secure seal, even when the container is inverted, reducing the risk of leakage and soiling of threads, while allowing easy dispensing and measurement of the liquid concentrate.
Implementation Method 1
a funnel surrounding a pour opening. In the event that a consumer inadvertently spills the liquid concentrate onto the cap base when pouring the liquid concentrate from the container body into the cap top, the cap base includes a funnel surrounding the pour opening for directing the liquid concentrate back into the interior of the body
Implementation Method 2
to restrict any spilled liquid concentrate from dripping along a sidewall of the cap base, the cap base further includes a channel for collecting the dripping liquid concentrate
Implementation Method 3
The cap top forms multiple seals with the cap base with an outer seal formed between at least one of the shoulder and the flange of the cap top and the wall of the cap base; and an inner seal formed between the bottom edge of the sidewall of the cap top and the funnel of the cap base
Data Source
AI summary
A container for dispensing a liquid concentrate comprises a container body with top edge and a cap base sealed relative to the top edge. The cap base includes a wall having an inner thread, a funnel surrounding an opening, and a spout. The container includes a cap top with a shoulder including a flange having an outer thread and depending downwardly from the shoulder to define a channel being open toward a bottom edge of the cap top and located between an interior of the flange and the sidewall of the cap top. The cap top can be threadingly engaged to the cap base to form an outer seal between at least one of the shoulder and the flange of the cap top and the wall of the cap base and form an inner seal between the bottom edge of the sidewall of the cap top and the funnel of the cap base.