Portion Control Lid Scoring for Easy Squeeze and Dip Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portion control containers with dip and squeeze functionality are difficult to manufacture and require significant reconfiguration or new fill and seal equipment, and can be challenging to open due to the need for tearing of rigid container body material.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a lid with a spout-type opening formed by a continuous scoring pattern of reduced strength and an initiation region, allowing for dual access modes without modifying existing fill and seal equipment, using laser scoring to create a well-defined spout-type opening that facilitates easy product dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional dip and squeeze containers are designed with rigid container body material, then structural strength is improved, but ease of opening deteriorates due to difficulty in tearing the rigid material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming initiation regions and patterns of reduced strength in the lid material before the container is used. These pre-defined weak points guide the tearing process, allowing users to easily open the rigid container by applying force at the initiation regions, which then propagate along the predetermined paths to create spout-type openings without requiring the user to manually tear through the entire rigid structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dip and squeeze containers are designed with dual access functionality, then versatility is improved, but device complexity worsens due to need for reconfiguration of fill and seal equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the lid into multiple functional segments: initiation regions for creating openings, patterns of reduced strength for guiding tear paths, and spout-type opening regions for controlled dispensing. This segmentation allows the lid to provide multiple access modes (dip access through full lid removal and squeeze access through spout openings) while using standard fill and seal equipment, as the segmented design can be integrated into existing manufacturing processes without requiring complete equipment reconfiguration.
3Manufacturing precision
If continuous scoring pattern with initiation regions is used to form spout-type openings, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of manufacture worsens due to additional laser scoring steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing traditional mechanical scoring or cutting methods with laser scoring technology. The laser scoring process creates precise initiation regions and patterns of reduced strength by selectively removing or weakening material along predetermined paths. This substitution of mechanical processes with laser-based processes achieves high manufacturing precision for spout-type openings while the laser technology itself integrates into modern manufacturing lines, offsetting the added complexity through automation and precision.
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
Enables efficient and controlled dispensing of products through the spout-type opening while maintaining compatibility with conventional fill and seal equipment, improving manufacturing ease and user accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
laser scoring at least one initiation region starting from first end disposed at or near a circumferential edge of a lid defined in the lidding material and extending to a second end, the at least one initiation region comprising a score line having 100% penetration through the lidding material
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a portion control container can have a body and a lid sealed to the body. The lid can have defined therein a spout-type opening. The spout-type opening can be defined by an initiation region having 100% cut-through the lid that transitions to a pattern of reduced strength having less than 100% penetration through the lid. The container can remain sealed until the lid is separate from the container along the seal to provide a dip-type opening or the lid material is torn at the initiation region and pattern of reduced strength to define a spout-type opening for squeeze dispensing of the product from the container.