Offset Hinge Axis for Container Closure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinged closures for containers, especially those made of plastic by injection molding, face difficulties in sealing due to the high force required to insert the sealing pin into the removal dome, leading to increased friction and deformation, making the closing process cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
The axis of rotation of the hinge is offset relative to the parting plane, reducing the closing angle and facilitating the insertion of the sealing pin, while a tightening strap covers the transition area between the parting plane and the hinge, enhancing the visual appeal and functionality by creating a snap function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sealing pin is inserted steeply into the removal dome to improve sealing, then the closing angle is reduced, but the force required to close the hinged lid increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge axis is offset from the parting plane, creating a three-dimensional configuration where the hinge axis lies at a distance from the parting plane. This spatial relocation changes the geometry of closure, allowing the sealing pin to approach the removal dome at a steeper angle while the hinge remains positioned to reduce the closing angle, thus achieving both good sealing and easier closure.
2Ease of manufacture
If the hinge axis is positioned in the parting plane for simple manufacturing, then the closing angle is large, but the sealing pin insertion becomes difficult with high friction
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning the hinge axis in the parting plane (two-dimensional simplification), the invention relocates the hinge axis to a position at a defined distance from the parting plane, utilizing the third dimension. This offset positioning enables the sealing pin to engage the removal dome at a more favorable angle, reducing friction and deformation during insertion, while still allowing for injection molding production.
3Ease of operation
If the hinge is offset from the parting plane to reduce closing angle, then the sealing pin insertion is facilitated, but a transition area becomes visible affecting appearance
Solution Approach 1:
A tightening strap is introduced as an intermediary element that spans across the transition area created by the offset hinge. This strap not only provides structural reinforcement and snap function but also visually conceals the transition area, maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the closure while allowing the hinge to be offset for improved sealing pin insertion.
4Force
If the closing angle is reduced to improve sealing, then the insertion force is decreased, but the hinge position must be offset from the parting plane
Solution Approach 1:
The offset hinge positioning creates a self-aligning mechanism where the geometry of the closure automatically guides the sealing pin into the removal dome at the optimal angle during the closing motion. The offset distance is designed to provide the correct closing angle without requiring additional adjustment mechanisms or complex control systems, allowing the structure to self-optimize the insertion process.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2d
AI summary
A hinged closure (1) for a container, in particular for liquid, pasty or powdery products, has a closure base for mounting on a dispensing opening of the container and a hinged lid (3) which, in the closed state of the hinged closure (1), at least partially covers the closure base (2), wherein the closure base (2) has on its outer side facing away from the container a dispensing dome (4) with a dispensing opening (5) projecting in the direction of the hinged lid (3) in the closed state of the hinged closure (1) and the hinged lid (3) has on its inner lid surface a sealing pin (6) projecting in the direction of the closure base (2) in the closed state of the hinged closure (1).The lower part of the closure (2) and the hinged lid (3) are rotatably connected to each other by means of at least one hinge (7) such that, when the hinged closure is closed, the sealing pin of the hinged lid penetrates the dispensing dome of the lower part of the closure and seals the dispensing opening (5), and the lower part of the closure and the hinged lid are in contact on most of their circumference outside the area of the hinge, essentially in a parting plane (9). The axis of rotation of the hinge is offset relative to the parting plane (9) in the direction of the hinged lid.