Push-Pull Closure Preventing Mouthpiece Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing push-pull closures for drink containers are not easily cleanable and can be inadvertently pulled out, leading to potential loss or spillage, and are often costly to produce.
Innovation Solution
A push-pull closure design featuring a body element with a through-opening, a locking portion on the mouthpiece that engages automatically with the body element, and a locking element that prevents complete removal of the mouthpiece, allowing for easy assembly, secure anchoring, and simple disassembly for cleaning, while being cost-effective to manufacture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the mouthpiece is designed to be easily removable for cleaning, then ease of cleaning is improved, but the risk of inadvertent removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system employs dynamic locking mechanisms where the mouthpiece transitions between locked and unlocked states through controlled movements. The resilient web and cam surface interaction creates a dynamic system that allows easy intentional removal while preventing accidental detachment through the teeth engagement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient web acts as an intermediary element between the mouthpiece and the resilient body element. It mediates the locking and unlocking actions, providing a controlled release mechanism that requires deliberate user action (pressing with teeth) rather than allowing inadvertent removal while still enabling easy cleaning when needed.
2Reliability
If the closure structure is made more complex to prevent inadvertent removal, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a unified structure: the resilient web serves both as a locking mechanism and a guide for the mouthpiece, the cam surface integrates the release mechanism into the body element itself, and the teeth on the mouthpiece serve both as a gripping feature and a locking engagement point. This consolidation reduces part count and manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure system employs self-locking and self-release mechanisms where the resilient web automatically engages with the cam surface to lock the mouthpiece in place, and the teeth automatically disengage when pressed against the cam surface. This eliminates the need for additional actuators, sensors, or control systems, reducing manufacturing cost while ensuring reliable operation.
3Reliability
If the mouthpiece is secured with a locking mechanism, then prevention of loss is improved, but ease of cleaning is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be dynamically reversible through a simple user action. The resilient web and cam surface create a mechanical system that transitions from a locked state (preventing loss during use) to an unlocked state (enabling easy removal for cleaning) through the pressing motion of teeth on the cam surface, requiring minimal effort and no special tools.
Data Source
AI summary
Push-pull closure for a drink container comprising a body element which comprises a through-opening and a fastening device, with which it may be sealingly and releasably connected to an opening of the drink container, a mouthpiece which may be axially displaceably inserted into the through-opening of the body element and which comprises at least one locking portion which may engage behind the through-opening of the body element, and a locking element which may be releasably attached to the inner face of the body element facing the drink container, the locking element being arranged so that the locking portion of the mouthpiece may not adopt a position in which it does not engage behind the through-opening of the body element, when the mouthpiece is inserted into the through-opening and the locking element is attached to the inner face of the body element.