Spice Container Mouth Design for Multi-Type Closure Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers with projections in the mouth section are designed for a single special attachment element, making it difficult and costly to accommodate different types of top elements, especially those made of varying plastic materials, as they cannot reliably maintain a fixed position and may be released from the filling or dispensing opening.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring multiple projections along the circumference, including at least one of each type spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, optimized to prevent reverse rotation and accommodate different attachment elements, ensuring a tamper-evident closure by using projections of varying widths, lengths, and angles to interact with different holding elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-type projection is provided in the opening section, then the container can be securely closed with a specific attachment element, but it cannot accommodate different types of top elements made of different materials
Solution Approach 1:
The opening section is designed with multiple projections of different types (first-type and second-type projections) that can interact with different retention elements on various attachment elements. This universal design allows the same container opening to securely attach different types of top elements including plastic, glass, or metal closures, resolving the contradiction between versatility and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention mechanism is segmented into multiple independent projections rather than a single unified structure. The first-type projections engage with first-type retention elements while second-type projections engage with second-type retention elements, allowing selective interaction based on the attachment element type while maintaining secure attachment for each.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the container is designed for a single specific attachment element, then secure closure is achieved, but production costs and logistical complexity increase when accommodating different top elements
Solution Approach 1:
The container opening section incorporates both first-type and second-type projections in a single standardized design. This universal opening can accept various top elements (spice shakers, grinding devices, etc.) made of different materials, eliminating the need to produce multiple container variants and reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple projection types are merged into a single container opening section, allowing one container design to serve multiple purposes. This consolidation reduces the number of different container types that need to be manufactured, stored, and distributed, simplifying production logistics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If alternative top elements made of less rigid material are used, then versatility is improved, but they cannot reliably maintain their screwed-on position and may detach
Solution Approach 1:
Different projections in the opening section have different geometric properties (first-type vs. second-type) that are locally optimized to interact with different retention elements. This local differentiation ensures that even less rigid plastic materials can engage properly with the appropriate projection type to maintain a secure, fixed position.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-type projection system provides universal compatibility with various attachment element materials and designs. Whether the top element is made of rigid glass, metal, or less rigid plastic, there is an appropriate projection-retention element interaction that ensures reliable positioning and prevents detachment.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Container (2) for holding spices or the like, with a filling/dispensing opening (4), with a mouth section (1) adjacent to the filling/dispensing opening (4) having a thread (3) for fastening an attachment element (7, 11 ) is provided and in the region of the mouth section (1) at least one projection (5) of the first type is provided which protrudes from a substantially cylindrical lateral surface (1') of the mouth section (1) and has a contact surface (5") acting in the circumferential direction, a further projection (6) of the second type protruding from the essentially cylindrical outer surface (1') of the mouth section (1) at a distance from the first type of projection (5) in the longitudinal direction of the container (2).