Spout Closure Assembly with Pressure-Resistant Tamper Retainer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spout and closure assemblies in containers fail to withstand significant volume and pressure changes during the supply chain, leading to false-positive tamper indications and potential damage due to broken frangible connections.
Innovation Solution
A spout and closure assembly with a retainer having a frangible line of weakness positioned to transmit pressure forces without breaking, ensuring the assembly withstands higher internal pressures without rupturing and providing accurate tamper indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a frangible connection is used to secure the closure cap and spout, then tamper evidence is provided, but the connection breaks under excessive internal pressure causing false-positive tamper indications
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible connection is segmented into two distinct functional zones: a pressure-resistant engagement portion that maintains structural integrity under internal pressure, and a frangible line of weakness positioned away from the engagement zone that breaks only under deliberate user force. This segmentation allows the same component to provide both tamper evidence and pressure resistance simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The detent mechanism acts as an intermediary element between the closure cap and the container opening. It provides a mechanical advantage system where normal operational forces are distributed through the detent's engagement surface, while the frangible line remains isolated from these forces. The detent geometry mediates between the need for secure engagement and the need for controlled breakage.
2Ease of operation
If the frangible connection is positioned to break easily for spout extension, then ease of operation is improved, but the connection breaks under supply chain pressure changes causing false tamper indications
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the frangible connection have different mechanical properties. The engagement zone features enhanced strength and geometric interlocking to resist pressure, while the frangible line of weakness has reduced cross-section and lower strength to break easily under user force. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible line of weakness is positioned in a spatial dimension away from the primary load path of internal pressure. By orienting the frangible line radially or axially rather than circumferentially, the design exploits dimensional orientation to decouple the breaking force vector from the pressure force vector, allowing easy breakage without compromising pressure resistance.
3Reliability
If the retainer is secured tightly to prevent premature release, then reliability is improved, but the spout and closure cap cannot be removed when intended
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible line of weakness is pre-positioned and pre-stressed during manufacturing to be stable under normal conditions but ready to break under specific user action. The detent is preliminarily engaged in a stable position that prevents premature release, while the frangible line maintains stored elastic energy or geometric instability that releases upon user force application.
Data Source
AI summary
A spout and closure assembly for a container are disclosed. The spout has a base end configured to be sealingly securable about the periphery of a dispensing opening of the container, and an outlet end which is movable between a retracted position in which the outlet end lies within or adjacent to the base end and an extended position in which the outlet end lies outward of the base end relative to the container opening. A removable closure cap is securable to the outlet end and a retainer is removably secured about the closure cap. The retainer comprises a detent by which the retainer and closure cap are held within or adjacent to the dispensing opening and also comprises a frangible line of weakness which when broken splits the retainer so as to allow disengagement of the detent, extension of the spout and removal of the closure cap from the outlet end, the frangible line of weakness being positioned in the retainer so that when the retainer is in place with the detent engaged, at least a portion of a force generated by pressure within the container and tending to expel the spout and closure cap is transmitted to the detent without passing through the line of weakness.