Package Opening Closure With Reinforced Cam-Guided Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing opening devices for pourable food packages require complex angular movements and multiple steps for opening and closing, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An opening device with a collar and closure system that allows for a combination of rotational and angular movements to control the opening and closing, featuring a cam and cam follower mechanism to simplify the operation, and includes a cutter for membrane rupture, enabling a more intuitive and efficient pouring experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cam and cam follower mechanism is added to enable rotational movement for opening, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the opening and closing operations into a single rotational movement of the closure. The cam mechanism merges multiple functions (opening, closing, and sealing) into one continuous motion, allowing the user to perform the entire opening operation by simply rotating the closure rather than executing multiple separate steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure transitions from a static closed position to a dynamic opening position through rotational movement. The cam and cam follower mechanism enables this dynamic transformation, allowing the closure to move along a predetermined path that achieves both opening and sealing functions during rotation.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple opening steps are required for controlled opening, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism is pre-configured with specific geometric profiles that automatically guide the closure through the precise opening sequence during rotation. The preliminary design of the cam profile ensures that the membrane is pierced at the exact right moment and position, eliminating the need for multiple manual adjustment steps while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening operation is performed in a single continuous rotational motion rather than through discrete interrupted steps. The cam mechanism maintains continuous contact with the closure throughout the rotation, ensuring that the opening action proceeds smoothly and continuously from the initial rotation to the final open position without pauses or additional manual interventions.
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 device provides a user-friendly, efficient, and intuitive mechanism for opening and closing the package, enhancing usability and reducing operational complexity while maintaining product integrity.
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.
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 in which the closure (6) opens the pouring outlet (5) and an intermediate position. The opening device (3) comprises an interaction device (16) having a main cam (30) protruding from the collar (4) and one or more main cam followers (31) protruding from the closure (6) and configured to interact with the main cam (30) during rotation of the closure (6) around the rotation axis (B). The main cam (30) extends between a first terminal portion (32) having a first end (33) and a second terminal portion (34) having a second end (35) opposite to the first end (33), the second end (35) being closer to the pouring outlet (5) than the first end (33). The main cam (30) comprises a reinforcing element (38) designed to strengthen and/or enhance the mechanical stability of the second terminal portion (34).