Single-Touch Cap With Lateral Pressing Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bottle caps require a two-handed operation for opening, leading to usability issues and a risk of erroneous opening, which can result in leakage and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A one-touch openable cap design that allows single-handed operation through a spring-energized mechanism, featuring a base with a pressing mechanism and a pivotable lid portion, which includes a cushioned seal to prevent accidental opening and maintain airtightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a two-handed operation cap is used, then the cap can be securely closed, but the opening operation requires both hands which interrupts ongoing work and reduces usability
Solution Approach 1:
The opening operation is divided into two distinct actions: first pressing the pressing member to release the latch, then rotating the lid. This segmentation allows the initial opening action to be performed with one hand while maintaining security against accidental opening, as both actions are required for complete opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing member is pressed in advance to release the latch portion from the locking position before rotation occurs. This preliminary action prepares the system for single-handed operation by disengaging the mechanical lock, allowing the lid to be rotated open with a simple twisting motion of one hand.
2Ease of operation
If a fixing member is made easily movable for single-handed opening, then opening operation is simplified, but the cap becomes susceptible to unintended opening due to external forces such as drops
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is designed to pivot between closed and open positions around a shaft, with the latch providing dynamic locking that engages during normal use but allows controlled movement during intentional opening. The spring provides continuous elastic force that maintains the closed position while allowing easy transition to open when activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing member acts as an intermediary that must be actively pressed to release the latch. This intermediate action serves as a deliberate user intent signal, distinguishing intentional opening from accidental forces such as drops, thereby preventing erroneous opening while enabling easy single-handed operation.
3Ease of operation
If the fixing member is positioned for easy access, then single-handed operation is enabled, but fingers may come into contact with the nozzle tip causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member is positioned on the lateral side of the cap body, perpendicular to the vertical axis of the nozzle. This spatial repositioning allows the user's thumb or finger to press the lateral pressing member without the finger tip needing to approach the vertical nozzle tip, thereby enabling single-handed operation while preventing contamination.
4Reliability
If the lid portion is held firmly closed, then the seal remains airtight, but the opening operation requires excessive force complicating single-handed use
Solution Approach 1:
The spring acts as a counterweight providing elastic force that balances the closing force of the latch mechanism. During normal use, the spring maintains the lid in the closed position with adequate force for sealing. During opening, after the latch is released by pressing the pressing member, the spring's stored energy assists in facilitating the opening motion, reducing the force required by the user.
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
Enables single-handed opening while preventing erroneous operation, maintaining sanitary conditions and ensuring the nozzle remains clean, and allows the cap to remain open even when the bottle is inverted, preventing content from blocking the nozzle.
Implementation Method 1
a spring, which has arms latched to the base and the lid portion, and which exerts spring energization so as to cause the lid portion to pivot in a direction for the nozzle to be exposed
Implementation Method 2
By providing the space between the lid portion and the seal portion made of a cushion material, the amount of contact between the tip of the nozzle and the seal portion can be made stable, the deformation and deterioration of the nozzle due to its crush can be prevented
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~1(D)
Figure 2(A)~2(F)
Figure 3(A)~3(F)
AI summary
An object of the invention is to provide a one-touch openable cap that is attached to a bottle and enables an opening operation of a lid portion to be performed by a single hand, and that prevents any opening of the lid portion due to erroneous operation. A one-touch openable cap comprises: a base including coupling means coupled to a bottle, a ring connected to a portion of the coupling means and disposed with a space between the coupling means and the ring, the ring being configured to be deformed by press forces from left and right sides so as to allow a front edge of the ring to be frontwardly pushed out, and a latch portion disposed on the front edge of the ring; and a lid portion disposed in such a way as to be pivotable relative to the base and including a body configured to cover the nozzle when the lid portion is closed, a claw disposed on the body and configured to be latched to the latch portion when the lid portion is closed; wherein, upon press of the ring from the left and right sides, the ring is deformed, the claw is released from the latch portion, the lid portion pivots, and the nozzle is uncovered.