Pouring Spout Device with Flexible Hinge and Rigid Frame

Solution Overview

Problem

Current spout devices for flexible plastic packaging are impractical and expensive, lacking ease of use due to their rigid construction and high material costs.

Innovation Solution

A spout device combining a rigid frame and cover made from materials like polyethylene or polypropylene with flexible cheeks and hinges made from polyurethane or elastomers, featuring triangular flanges and a snap-lock mechanism for easy opening and closing, allowing for a rigid structure with a flexible joint.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid frame and cover are used for the spout device, then structural strength and rigidity are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in opening and closing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of opening and closing

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spout device is divided into distinct segments: a rigid frame and cover made from one material, and flexible cheeks and hinge made from another material. This segmentation allows each part to have optimized properties - the rigid parts provide structural strength while the flexible parts enable easy operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite construction by combining two different materials: a rigid material (such as polypropylene or polyethylene) for the frame and cover, and a flexible material (such as polyurethane or elastomer) for the cheeks and hinge. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by having both rigid and flexible components in a single device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If a single rigid material is used for the entire spout device, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidease of opening and closing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges two different materials into a single integrated spout device structure. The frame, cover, cheeks, and hinge are constructed as unified components where rigid and flexible materials are combined, achieving both manufacturing efficiency and operational ease through multi-material construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the cheeks are made flexible to improve ease of operation, then ease of operation is improved, but structural strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of opening and closingVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The spout device is divided into distinct segments: a rigid frame and cover made from one material, and flexible cheeks and hinge made from another material. This segmentation allows each part to have optimized properties - the rigid parts provide structural strength while the flexible parts enable easy operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite construction by combining two different materials: a rigid material (such as polypropylene or polyethylene) for the frame and cover, and a flexible material (such as polyurethane or elastomer) for the cheeks and hinge. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by having both rigid and flexible components in a single device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Strength

If the device is made thick to ensure structural integrity, then structural strength is improved, but device portability and storage efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses flexible cheeks made from elastomeric material that can deform and collapse when not in use, allowing the spout device to have a reduced thickness profile while maintaining structural integrity when needed. The flexible material provides strength through elasticity rather than thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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, cost-effective solution with enhanced sealing capabilities and reduced thickness in the closed position, enabling easy maneuvering and efficient packaging access with minimal material expense.

Implementation Method 1

the second material comprises a flexible material selected from a group consisting of polyurethane and elastomers. Thus the cheeks and the hinge are flexible to allow easy opening and closing of the spout device.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3221226B1Pouring spout device

Publication Date: 2018.12.05 VIEL

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a pouring spout device (1) for packaging (E) which comprises a frame (2) provided with a central opening (22) and is intended to be fixed to the packaging (E), and a cap (3) connected to the frame by two flanges (4) and a hinge (5), the frame (2) and the cap (3) being moulded from a first material, and the flanges (4) and the hinge (5) being moulded from a second material.