Non-drip Spout Closure Lip Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spouts fail to prevent dripping and staining when dispensing liquid food products, leading to messes on the closure and bottle, and often result in the flip-top lid becoming stuck due to dried residue.
Innovation Solution
A non-drip spout with a one-piece flip-top closure featuring a specific shape and size of the orifice, combined with an external and internal vertical angle, curvature, and an extended horizontal upper lip section, which prevents glugging and retains drops, ensuring smooth pouring without drips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional spout closure is used, then the container can be sealed, but liquid product drips and stains the closure and container exterior
Solution Approach 1:
The spout incorporates a horizontal lip section that extends perpendicular to the spout axis, creating a two-dimensional surface geometry that intercepts and redirects liquid flow. This horizontal dimension allows the lip to catch droplets and guide them back into the container, preventing drips from forming on the closure exterior.
Solution Approach 2:
The spout lip features a curved upper surface that transitions from the vertical spout wall to the horizontal lip section. This curvature allows liquid to smoothly transition along the surface tension path, directing droplets back into the container opening rather than allowing them to fall outward onto the closure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the spout lip is made thin or sharply cut off, then dripping is reduced, but the flip-top lid becomes stuck to the base due to dried residue
Solution Approach 1:
The spout structure incorporates different geometric characteristics at different locations: the lip section has a specific curvature and horizontal extension to prevent drips, while the spout orifice maintains appropriate dimensions to ensure smooth liquid flow. This localized optimization of geometry at the lip region prevents both dripping and residue buildup that would stick the lid to the base.
Solution Approach 2:
The spout design specifies particular parameter ranges for the lip geometry, including the horizontal extension distance and curvature radius, which are optimized to balance drip prevention with smooth liquid flow. These parameter adjustments ensure that liquid flows smoothly through the spout without creating droplets that would dry and stick the closure components together.
3Productivity
If the spout orifice size is not optimized, then pouring may be faster, but glugging occurs causing liquid to drip over the spout edge
Solution Approach 1:
The spout design specifies particular parameter ranges for the orifice size and lip geometry that optimize the balance between pouring speed and drip prevention. The orifice dimensions are sized to allow rapid liquid flow while the lip curvature and horizontal extension are configured to intercept any droplets that form, preventing glugging and ensuring smooth pouring without drips.
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 spout effectively prevents dripping and staining, allowing for easy handling and operation by ensuring a smooth, consistent flow and easy opening of the closure, even after use.
Implementation Method 1
The lip defines a recess of restricted volume whereby the retaining forces, such as surface tension, and cohesive and adhesive forces over the liquid, temporarily retain the last drop of liquid in the recess.
Implementation Method 2
The lip defines a recess of restricted volume whereby the retaining forces, such as surface tension, and cohesive and adhesive forces over the liquid, temporarily retain the last drop of liquid in the recess.
Implementation Method 3
The spout is shaped in such a manner as to catch and hold back any remaining drops of liquid product after the product has been dispensed. The size of the orifice permits a smooth and consistent pouring so as to inhibit glugging of the liquid during dispensing
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A closure includes a flip-top member including an elongated flange, a base member including a curved flange extending from the base member, and a hinge to connect the flip- top member and the base member. The base member has an opening therein. A portion of the elongated member is configured to reside within the opening when the closure is in a closed position.