Gable-Top Paper Spout Geometry to Prevent Pouring Pulsation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spout-equipped paper containers face issues with spout downsizing leading to liquid pulsation and spilling due to reduced aperture diameter, which affects pouring efficiency and requires excessive tilting angles.

Innovation Solution

The spout-equipped paper container design features gable roof forming panels with an inclination angle of 35 to 55 degrees, inwardly curved folding lines, and downwardly convex top-portion horizontal folding lines to guide liquid flow smoothly, allowing for a smaller spout aperture without pulsation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If the spout aperture diameter is reduced to downsize the spout, then environmental contamination is reduced and material usage is minimized, but liquid pulsation and spilling occur during pouring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresin material usageVSAvoidpouring stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the inclination angle parameter of the gable roof forming panels from the conventional 30 degrees to 35-55 degrees. This parameter modification alters the liquid flow dynamics inside the container, enabling smooth liquid discharge even through a downsized spout with reduced aperture diameter, thereby resolving the contradiction between material reduction and pouring stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimensional consideration by optimizing the three-dimensional geometry of the gable roof forming panels. By adjusting the inclination angle in the vertical dimension, the liquid flow path is optimized to prevent pulsation, allowing the spout aperture to be reduced without compromising pouring performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of moving object

If the spout aperture diameter is reduced, then the spout size is minimized, but air entry and liquid flow push against each other causing pulsated liquid discharge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespout aperture diameterVSAvoidliquid flow smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the inclination angle parameter of the gable roof forming panels to 35-55 degrees, which changes the liquid flow characteristics and air-liquid interaction dynamics. This parameter change allows the liquid to flow smoothly past the air entry point without pulsation, enabling a smaller spout aperture while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the gable roof forming panels have a smaller inclination angle to facilitate pouring, then liquid can flow out more easily, but the spout cannot be downsized due to increased liquid accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid discharge easeVSAvoidresin material usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the inclination angle parameter to a specific range of 35-55 degrees, which is steeper than the conventional 30 degrees. This counterintuitive parameter increase actually improves liquid discharge ease by preventing accumulation, while simultaneously enabling spout downsizing and material reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4707191A1Mouth-spout-equipped paper container
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 NIPPON PAPER IND CO LTD
  • EP4707191A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4707191A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4707191A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In order to obtain a spout-equipped paper container that achieves downsizing of a spout and effectively prevents pulsation of liquid flowing through the spout when the liquid is poured out, provided is a spout-equipped paper container (1) of gable top type, which includes a spout (18) mounted on any one of a pair of gable roof forming panels (10, 11) that form a top portion (16). An inclination angle of the pair of gable roof forming panels that form the top portion is set to 35 degrees or more and 55 degrees or less.