Pour Spout Snap Connection for Universal Spigot Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pour spout mounting systems require frequent changes of spigots to accommodate different spout sizes, leading to reduced productivity and assembly issues due to slight dimensional variations, causing either loose or overly tight fits.
Innovation Solution
A spigot with an annular ridge and a pour spout featuring resilient protrusions that yield to allow the ridge to snap behind them, providing a reliable and releasable snap connection, accommodating varying spout sizes and manufacturing tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a continuous internal bead is used for retention, then the spout can be retained on the spigot, but frequent spigot changes are required for different spout sizes, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous internal bead is segmented into multiple discrete protrusions distributed circumferentially around the spout interior. This segmentation allows a single spigot with a corresponding ridge to engage multiple retention points simultaneously, enabling universal compatibility across different spout sizes and eliminating the need for frequent spigot changes during assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The spigot design with an annular ridge is made universal to accommodate multiple spout sizes through the use of discrete circumferential protrusions. A single spigot configuration can retain various spout dimensions, making the mounting system multi-functional and eliminating the need for multiple specialized spigots for different spout specifications.
2Ease of manufacture
If slight dimensional variations occur in spout production, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but assembly issues arise with loose or overly tight fits
Solution Approach 1:
The retention system utilizes elastic deformation of the protrusions to accommodate dimensional variations. The protrusions are designed to elastically deform during engagement with the spigot ridge, allowing the system to adapt to slight manufacturing tolerances in spout dimensions without compromising retention reliability or requiring precise dimensional control.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions are designed with elastic properties that allow them to dynamically adjust during assembly. As the spigot ridge engages the protrusions, they elastically deform to accommodate dimensional variations, providing a self-adjusting mechanism that ensures reliable retention regardless of minor manufacturing tolerances in spout dimensions.
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
This solution enhances the reliability and firmness of pour spout retention on the spigot during transfer and assembly, while allowing easy removal and coping with manufacturing variations, thus improving productivity and reducing assembly issues.
Implementation Method 1
resilient protrusions which yield to allow the ridge to snap behind them
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A spigot (24) of a pour spout fitment applicator includes a ridge (26) extending therearound. The pour spout (4) of a fitment (2) includes a series of ribs (12) extending longitudinally of the spout (4) and protruding from an internal peripheral surface of the spout (4) and distributed about that surface, the ridge (26) being of a maximum radius from a longitudinal axis of the spigot greater than the radii from that axis of the radially innermost portions of the respective ribs (12), and the spigot (24) being insertable into the pour spout (4) sufficiently far that radially outermost portions of the ridge (26) become located beyond the radially innermost portions of the ribs (12).