Spout Lid Assembly With Gripping Walls for Damage-Free Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lid assemblies for sealed packages with pourable products face challenges in application, risking damage to the lid, spout, and package during assembly, necessitating an improvement in application methods and design for enhanced safety and ease.

Innovation Solution

A lid assembly with a coupling ring and lid design featuring gripping walls for alignment and orientation, along with a tethering element and lifting portion, facilitates secure application onto spouts, reducing the risk of damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a lid assembly is applied to a spout using a conventional application device, then the lid assembly can be attached to the container, but there is a risk of damaging the lid assembly, spout, or package during the application process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication safetyVSAvoiddamage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lid assembly is pre-oriented and pre-positioned on the application device before contact with the spout. The gripping walls are pre-aligned with the spout axis, ensuring proper orientation is established before the forcing action begins, preventing misalignment damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The application device serves as an intermediary between the lid assembly and the spout. It provides a controlled interface that gradually transfers force, using the gripping walls to mediate the alignment and orientation process before final attachment, reducing shock and misalignment risks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If the application device applies sufficient force to secure the lid assembly onto the spout, then the lid assembly is firmly attached, but there is increased risk of damaging the lid assembly or spout

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoiddamage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lid assembly is pre-positioned and pre-oriented on the application device before the forcing action. This preliminary positioning ensures that when force is applied, the lid is already aligned correctly, allowing strong attachment without misalignment damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The application process is dynamic, with the lid assembly being gradually forced onto the spout while maintaining alignment through the gripping walls. The system transitions from a stationary pre-positioned state to a dynamic forcing state, allowing controlled application of attachment force

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the lid assembly requires precise alignment and orientation during application, then proper fitting is achieved, but the application process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidapplication process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lid assembly features asymmetric gripping walls with specific geometric profiles that complement the spout geometry. This asymmetric design provides inherent alignment cues, allowing the application device to achieve precise orientation through geometric constraint rather than complex alignment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The lid assembly's gripping walls are self-aligning with the spout during the forcing process. The geometric relationship between the gripping walls and spout automatically establishes proper orientation as force is applied, eliminating the need for complex external alignment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3892558B1Lid assembly for a container, container having a lid assembly and method of coupling a lid assembly to a spout
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA
  • EP3892558B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3892558B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3892558B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

There is described a lid assembly (4, 4', 4'') for a container (1,2) having a spout (3). The lid assembly (4, 4', 4'') comprises at least a coupling ring (6) configured to be arranged around at least a portion of the spout (3); a lid (7, 7', 7'') configured to selectively cover a pouring outlet of the spout (3); and a tethering element tethering the lid (7, 7', 7'') to the coupling ring (6). The lid (7, 7', 7'') comprises at least a first gripping wall (20) and at least a second gripping wall (21) defining respective engagement surfaces configured to be engaged by at least a portion of an application device and/or to support gripping and/or alignment and/or rotation of the lid (7, 7', 7'') during a coupling of the lid assembly (4, 4', 4'') to the spout (3) and being arranged on opposing portions of the lid (7, 7', 7''). Each one of the first gripping wall (19) and the second gripping wall (20) lies on a respective plane (HI, H2) distinct from the other one.