Push-Pull Closure with Piercing Mandrel for Sensitive Additives

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 'push-pull' container closures are inadequate for handling sensitive liquid vitamin additives, as they require manual screwing and filling, are not suitable for one-handed operation, and face sealing issues with liquid additives, making them unsuitable for transparent containers and long-term storage.

Innovation Solution

A container closure design featuring a mandrel with a tearing and piercing device that allows for easy addition of sensitive additives by actuating the mandrel to pierce a tearable or pierceable sealing film, creating an additional space within the closure for additive storage, which can be retrofitted to existing 'push-pull' closures and ensures a gas-tight seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional push-pull closure is used, then the container is easy to open and close with one hand, but it requires manual screwing and filling operations that are not suitable for one-handed operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveone-handed operationVSAvoidmanual screwing and filling operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mandrel with tearing and piercing device is integrated into the push-pull closure assembly, combining the opening/closing function with the additive dispensing function into a single operable unit that can be controlled with one hand

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The push-pull closure is designed to perform multiple functions: sealing the container opening, enabling one-handed opening and closing, and dispensing additives through the integrated mandrel mechanism, eliminating the need for separate manual operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If transparent containers are used for vitamin beverages, then the color and flavor can be recognized, but sensitive vitamins are destroyed by UV radiation and heat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransparent container visibilityVSAvoidUV radiation and heat damage to vitamins

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Additives are pre-filled in the additional space of the closure assembly before the sealing film is applied, allowing the base drink to be stored in transparent containers without premature exposure to degrading factors, and additives are only introduced immediately before use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If additives are added manually to the container, then the container can be filled with vitamins, but the additives must be added long before use which reduces their effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadditive contentVSAvoidtime delay between additive addition and use

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Additives are pre-loaded into the additional space within the closure assembly during manufacturing, but remain sealed off by the sealing film until the moment of use when the mandrel pierces the film, enabling immediate mixing without time loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing film acts as an intermediary barrier that keeps additives separated from the base drink during storage and transport, allowing them to be positioned for immediate mixing without premature contact that would trigger degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If a sealing film is used to separate additives, then the additives remain protected, but the film must be torn or pierced which complicates the operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing integrityVSAvoidtearing or piercing operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tearing and piercing function is merged with the existing push-pull closure operation, allowing the sealing film to be breached as part of the normal opening/closing motion without requiring separate manual tearing or piercing actions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP1737743B1'push-pull' type closure for a container

Publication Date: 2009.05.06 WILHELM RENE

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AI summary

The invention relates to a 'push-pull' type closure (2) for a container comprising a cover part (1) which can be placed about a container opening and which comprises a sealing lip (4), and a sliding part (6) which is applied in a displaceable manner to the cover part (1). An outflow opening (5) can be opened or closed by displacing the sliding part (6) on the cover part (1). A splitable or piercable closure film (7) is applied to the sealing lip (4), whereby an additional chamber (8) which is divided in a sealed manner in relation to the contents of the container, is formed the inner chamber of the cover part (1) which is oriented towards the sliding part (6). A pin (9) is applied in a displaceable manner to the cover part (1) and comprises a tearing and piercing device (10). The closure film (7) can be torn open or pierced when the pin (9) is actuated and a substance or active substance can be added to the additional chamber (8) which can also penetrate into the container. One advantage thereof is that the active substance which is sensitive to surrounding influences can be contained in the closure of the container (2), and that said active substances can be mixed with the contents of the container immediately prior to the use and in a simple manner.