One-Piece Molded Container With Living Hinge Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container manufacturing processes involve multiple separate parts and complex assembly steps, leading to increased costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A container design where the body portion, upper end portion, and cap portion are molded as one piece, with the cap attached via a living hinge, and a valve integrated with a retention feature for dispensing, allowing for simplified manufacturing and reduced parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate parts are used for container components (tube portion, upper portion, cap), then each part can be independently manufactured with high precision, but the overall device complexity and assembly steps increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tube portion, upper portion, and cap into a single integrated container structure that is molded as one piece. This eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly of these components, directly reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision through the molding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The single-piece molded container serves multiple functions that were previously required separate components: it provides the tube structure, the upper closure, and the cap assembly all in one universal component, thereby reducing the number of parts and assembly steps.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate parts are assembled together, then each component can be optimized independently, but the manufacturing cost and production time increase due to multiple assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple components into a single molded piece, the patent eliminates multiple assembly operations, directly improving manufacturing efficiency and productivity while reducing production time and labor costs.
3Ease of repair
If traditional assembly methods with multiple parts are used, then repair and replacement of individual components is easier, but the overall device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple components into one piece, reducing the total number of parts from three or more to a single unified structure. This simplification reduces device complexity and manufacturing cost while eliminating the need for separate component replacement, as the entire assembly functions as one unit.
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
This design reduces manufacturing costs and complexity by integrating multiple components into a single molded piece, facilitating easier assembly and dispensing functionality while maintaining product integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The cap portion may be attached to the body portion with a hinge. The hinge may be a living hinge.
Implementation Method 2
The lower end portion may be closed by using a heat seal. The heat seal may seal one portion of the side wall against another portion of the side wall.
Data Source
AI summary
The container (100) includes a body portion (102), an upper end portion (104), and a cap portion (106). The body portion, the end portion and the cap portion may be molded as one piece. The cap portion (106) may be attached to the body portion with a hinge (108). The body portion may have a side wall which allows the user to squeeze the side wall and dispense the product which is stored within the container (100). The container may include a valve. The valve may include an opening which allows the contents to be dispensed. The valve may be attached using a retention feature, a retaining ring, an adhesive and/or fusion. The retaining ring may engage the retention feature. After the valve is assembled to the container (100), the container is filled with a product and the lower end portion may be closed by using a heat seal.