Closure system for containers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container opening systems, such as Stay on Tab and peel-seam systems, often require excessive force to open, can be difficult to access and grip, and do not allow for easy reclosing, posing safety and convenience issues due to sharp edges and potential spillage.
Innovation Solution
A container opening system featuring a rotatable lever that is bonded to a cover panel, allowing for easy access and grip, reduced force requirement for opening, and the ability to reclose by debonding the cover panel from the end panel, using a mechanical lever mechanism to relieve pressure and minimize deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a scored opening line with tab lever is used, then easy opening functionality is provided, but excessive force is required to open pressurized containers
Solution Approach 1:
The opening system is divided into two distinct phases: first, the tab lever breaks the adhesive seal at a predetermined fracture line to relieve pressure; second, the cover panel is pulled away from the end panel through a separate aperture. This segmentation allows pressure relief with minimal force while maintaining controlled access to contents.
Solution Approach 2:
The tab lever acts as an intermediary mechanism that initiates opening by breaking the adhesive seal without requiring the consumer to directly apply force to the cover panel. The lever provides mechanical advantage to overcome the adhesive bond and release pressure before the main opening action.
2Reliability
If the tab remains affixed to the end panel after opening, then loose tabs are eliminated, but the tab can be difficult to access and grip
Solution Approach 1:
The tab lever is positioned in a third dimension extending outward from the plane of the end panel, making it accessible and gripable by consumers. The lever rotates on a rivet to provide ergonomic handling while remaining securely attached to the end panel throughout the opening process.
3Reliability
If a continuous adhesive bond is used between cover panel and end panel, then hermetic sealing is achieved, but the bond requires excessive force to break
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive bonding system is segmented into two functional zones: a continuous adhesive seal provides hermetic sealing, while a predetermined fracture line with reduced adhesive application allows easy breaking with minimal force. This segmentation enables both strong sealing and easy opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive properties are varied locally across the bond perimeter: strong continuous adhesive bonding is applied around most of the perimeter for hermetic sealing, while a specific localized region (the fracture line) has reduced adhesive or alternative bonding to facilitate easy breaking with minimal consumer force.
4Ease of operation
If the score line creates a fully contiguous opening, then full aperture access is provided, but sharp edges are exposed to the user
Solution Approach 1:
The opening process is segmented into pressure relief (through the fracture line) and access (through the separate aperture). The aperture is positioned away from the fracture line, allowing the cover panel to be removed through a different location that does not expose users to sharp edges from the fracture line breaking.
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 system enables easy and safe opening of pressurized containers with reduced spillage and contamination, while allowing for effortless reclosing, addressing the limitations of existing systems by providing a user-friendly and efficient mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
Directional pull by a consumer on an edge tab of the membrane stresses the adhesive bond in peel mode, and continuing this motion progressively overcomes the total bonding force of the adhesive around the full perimeter.
Implementation Method 2
A rotatable lever is interposed between the end panel and cover panel. The lever is bonded at one end to the end panel and the cover panel through a rivet or other structural element.
Data Source
Figure 1A~2D
Figure 3A~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
An improved easy opening closure wherein a cover panel is bonded to a container end panel around the perimeter of an aperture through the end panel. A rotating lever is connected to a proximal lever through a rivet acting as a fulcrum such that, as pressure is applied to rotate the rotating lever axially around the rivet, the force is magnified which allows the proximal lever selectively debonds an isolated region of the perimeter, thereby allowing pressure within the container to escape. Continued rotation of the rotating lever further debonds the cover panel from the end panel. The leading edge of the rotating lever wedges between the end panel and the cover panel at the opposite edge of the aperture, thereby cleaving and debonding the connection between the panels at that edge.