Pull Tab Opening Mechanism for Food Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current can opening mechanisms contaminate the contents with pollutants from the external surface of the opening portion and pull tab, as the opening portion is immersed in the liquid during the opening process, leading to potential contamination of the liquid and food hygiene issues.

Innovation Solution

The mechanism incorporates tie-rods connecting the pull tab to the opening portion, allowing it to be pulled away and rotated such that the opening portion is extracted in the opposite direction, avoiding immersion in the liquid, and is then housed in a recess to act as a cover, ensuring the content remains protected from external contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the opening portion is pulled up and immersed in the liquid during opening, then the opening mechanism is simple, but the liquid becomes contaminated with external pollutants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening mechanism complexityVSAvoidliquid contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The opening portion is extracted from the liquid during the opening process. By using tie-rods connected to the pull tab, the opening portion is pulled upward and outward in a direction that prevents it from being immersed in the liquid, thereby removing the source of contamination before it can contact the liquid contents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of the opening portion moving downward into the liquid as in conventional designs, the opening portion is made to move upward and outward away from the liquid. The tie-rods invert the traditional motion path, causing the opening portion to be dragged in the opposite direction to prevent contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the pull tab is used to separate the opening portion, then the opening function is achieved, but the tab and pollutants contaminate the liquid during pouring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening functionVSAvoidliquid contamination during pouring

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The opening portion, which may carry pollutants from its external surface, is extracted from the liquid path during the pouring operation. By positioning it away from the liquid flow through the tie-rod mechanism, it cannot contaminate the liquid during pouring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The tie-rods act as intermediaries that connect the pull tab to the opening portion, transmitting the pulling force while maintaining a spatial separation that prevents the opening portion from contacting the liquid. This intermediary mechanism allows the opening function to be achieved without direct contact between the potentially contaminated opening portion and the liquid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the opening portion is bent inside the can at 90 degrees, then the opening is complete, but the external surface pollutants contact the liquid contents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening completionVSAvoidpollutant contact with contents

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The opening portion is extracted from the liquid environment throughout the opening process rather than being bent into the liquid. The tie-rods guide the opening portion along a trajectory that keeps it outside the liquid, preventing pollutant contact even during the bending motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The opening motion is shifted from a two-dimensional planar bend within the can to a three-dimensional motion that extends outward and upward. The tie-rods enable the opening portion to move in an additional spatial dimension, pulling it away from the liquid before any bending occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a second opening movement is required to push the tab back, then contamination is prevented, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoidopening operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The opening portion remains continuously positioned away from the liquid throughout the entire opening operation. The tie-rods maintain this protective positioning without requiring the opening portion to be pushed back or repositioned, allowing the useful action of contamination prevention to continue uninterrupted throughout the opening sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3856651B1Opening mechanism for food and/or drink containers

Publication Date: 2023.08.09 PREVIATO ANDREA

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Figure 4~5

AI summary

Opening mechanism for food and/or drink containers, comprising an upper wall (3) wherein an opening portion (4) is defined by a weakening line (5) and is connected to a pull tab (2) pivoted movable on the upper wall (3) at a fulcrum point (20) for the pull-up opening of the container (1), the separation of the opening portion (4) from the upper wall (3) along the weakening line (5) connecting the interior of the container (1) with the outside through a hole (50) corresponding to the separate opening portion (4). The pull tab (2) is connected to the opening portion (4) by one or more tie- rods (21) arranged in such a way that a pull of the tab (2) away from the opening portion (4) separates the opening portion (4) along the weakening line (5) and drags at least partly the opening portion (4) to follow the tab (2).