Package Opening Closure With Cam-Guided Intermediate Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing opening devices for pourable food packages require complex angular movements and multiple steps to open and close, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An opening device with a collar and closure that allows for a combination of rotational and angular movements to control the opening and closing, featuring a cam and cam followers to facilitate a smoother transition between positions, including a cutter for membrane rupture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex angular movements and multiple steps are required to open and close the closure, then the opening device can control the pouring outlet effectively, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The opening device is divided into functionally independent components: a collar fixed to the package, a closure that rotates independently, and a connecting element with a hinge. This segmentation allows the closure to perform simple rotational movements while the cam mechanism handles the complex sequence of operations, resolving the contradiction between reliable control and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A cam mechanism acts as an intermediary between the closure rotation and the opening/closing actions. The cam converts the simple rotational movement of the closure into the required sequence of movements for the closure and cutter, eliminating the need for complex multi-step manual operations while maintaining reliable control.
2Reliability
If multiple movement types (rotational and angular) are required for opening and closing, then the opening device can achieve precise control, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism serves as an intermediary that automatically generates the required complex movement sequence from a single rotational input. This eliminates the need for multiple independent actuators or complex control mechanisms, achieving precise control through passive mechanical guidance rather than active complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism is passively actuated by the user's rotation of the closure, automatically generating the required sequence of movements without requiring the user to manually control multiple degrees of freedom. The system serves itself by converting simple user input into the complex coordinated movements needed for reliable operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a cutter is added for membrane rupture, then the functionality for opening the package is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutter is merged with the existing closure component, sharing the same rotational axis and being actuated by the same user input. The cam mechanism that controls the closure also controls the cutter, so no additional independent control system is needed. This combining approach adds the membrane rupture function while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure and connecting element assembly serves multiple functions: it controls the pouring outlet closure, actuates the cutter for membrane rupture, and provides the rotational interface for the user. This multi-functionality achieves enhanced opening capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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
Provides a more intuitive and efficient operation by allowing users to choose between rotational and angular movements for opening and closing, enhancing user experience and simplifying the opening process.
Implementation Method 1
The collar is provided with a cam and a pair of cam followers protruding from an inner face of the closure and configured to interact with the cam during rotation of the closure around a rotation axis for moving the closure from a closed position to a partially open position
Implementation Method 2
which is to be opened or to be removed or to be ruptured or to be cut or to be pierced prior to the first outpouring
Data Source
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AI summary
There is described an opening device (3) comprising a collar (4) and a closure (6) controllable between a closing position, an opening position and an intermediate position The opening device (3) comprises an interaction device (16) comprising a main cam (30), one or more main cam followers (31), an auxiliary cam (50) and one or more auxiliary cam followers (51). The one or more auxiliary cam followers (51) comprise an engagement surface (52) configured to engage the auxiliary cam (50) during rotation of the closure (6) around the rotation axis (B) in a first direction of rotation and an auxiliary surface (65) opposite to the engagement surface (52) and configured to interact with the main cam (30) during rotation of the closure (6) around the rotation axis (B) in a second direction of rotation, opposite to the first direction of rotation, and to guide the one or more auxiliary cam followers (51) into a space (54) delimited between the main cam (30) and the auxiliary cam (50).