Membrane Closure With Integral Tab and Score Pattern

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional membrane closures for containers require an overcap for re-closure, which complicates manufacturing and packaging operations and adds cost, while the tab is prone to damage or interference without it, and single-serving containers often discard the overcap, necessitating a simpler, cost-effective solution to secure the tab and prevent contamination.

Innovation Solution

A membrane closure with an integral tab that is releasably secured to the rest of the membrane closure using adhesives, minimizing interference during manufacturing and packaging, and featuring a score pattern for easy removal, with a stronger adhesive to maintain closure integrity and aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an overcap is used to secure the tab and prevent contamination, then the tab is protected from interference and contamination, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetab protection from interferenceVSAvoidclosure structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the tab from the membrane closure by making it separable through a score line, allowing the tab to be removed independently. This eliminates the need for an overcap while still protecting the main membrane closure from contamination during manufacturing and packaging operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The membrane closure is segmented into multiple components: the main closure body and the separable tab. The score line creates a weak point that allows the tab to be detached from the main body, enabling the tab to be removed without compromising the integrity of the main closure structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the tab extends horizontally off the side of the container to aid removal, then the removal process is facilitated, but the tab is more likely to get caught or damaged on equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane removal easeVSAvoidtab damage probability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tab is extracted as a separable component from the membrane closure through the score line. This allows the tab to be removed independently from the main closure body, enabling easy removal while minimizing the risk of the tab getting caught or damaged on equipment during manufacturing and packaging operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the overcap is applied to push the tab down along the container side, then the tab is secured in a safer position, but the overcap application process becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetab positioning safetyVSAvoidovercap application ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The tab is extracted from the membrane closure through the score line, allowing it to be removed independently. This eliminates the need for an overcap to push the tab down, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process while still providing safe positioning of the tab through its separable design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Device complexity

If the membrane closure and tab are cut as a single piece, then the structure is simple, but the tab interferes with manufacturing and packaging operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure structure simplicityVSAvoidtab interference with operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane closure is segmented into the main body and the tab through the score line. This segmentation allows the tab to be separated from the main closure, eliminating interference with manufacturing and packaging operations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tab is extracted as a separable component through the score line, allowing it to be removed independently from the main membrane closure. This extraction eliminates the tab's interference with manufacturing and packaging operations while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 allows for a cost-effective, simple membrane closure that minimizes tab interference during manufacturing and packaging, maintains closure integrity, and provides a clean, aesthetically pleasing surface without the need for an overcap, while ensuring a secure opening mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

The adhesive layer has a first adhesive for attaching the first area to the lower layer and a second adhesive for attaching the second area to the lower layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS8740052B2Membrane closure for container

Publication Date: 2014.06.03 SONOCO DEVELOPMENT INC

AI summary

A membrane closure for a container is provided. The membrane closure includes an integral tab for removing the membrane closure from the container. The closure includes a lower layer, an adhesive layer, and an upper layer. The lower layer is sealed to the body of a container. The upper layer includes a score pattern that defines a tab area and a fixed area. The adhesive layer includes a first adhesive for releasably attaching the tab area to the lower layer and a second adhesive for permanently bonding the fixed area to the lower layer. The membrane closure is removable from the container by pulling on the tab area.