Spouted Pouch Closure with Anti-Back Off Snap Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spouted pouch designs lack a secure and tamper-evident closure mechanism that prevents accidental opening and ensures product integrity, particularly for low viscosity beverages.
Innovation Solution
A spouted pouch with a closure device comprising a socket and cap that includes a permanent snap lock anti-back off structure and a tamper-evident mechanism, where the socket is screwed onto the spout neck with a second screw thread, and a slit valve member for controlled dispensing, ensuring the cap remains secure and indicating first-time opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple cap is used on the spout, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of preventing accidental opening and ensuring product integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device is divided into two functional segments: a socket that is permanently secured to the spout neck via screw threading, and a cap that is removably attached to the socket. This segmentation allows the socket to provide permanent secure attachment while the cap provides removable access, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket is pre-secured to the spout neck before the cap is attached. This preliminary action ensures that the secure attachment mechanism is already in place before the user interacts with the cap, preventing accidental opening while maintaining a simple overall structure.
2Reliability
If a permanent snap lock anti-back off structure is added to prevent accidental opening, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The permanent snap lock anti-back off structure is merged into the socket component, which is already permanently attached to the spout neck. This integration allows the snap lock mechanism to provide enhanced security without adding a separate complex assembly, thus improving reliability while minimizing increases in device complexity.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a tamper-evident mechanism is incorporated, then the ability to detect opening status improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tamper-evident mechanism utilizes visual indicators (such as color changes or visible structural alterations) to detect and communicate the opening status of the closure device. This allows easy detection of tampering without requiring complex electronic or mechanical sensing systems, thus improving detectability while keeping the added complexity minimal.
4Ease of operation
If a slit valve member is added for controlled dispensing, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slit valve member is designed to open automatically in response to user action (such as squeezing the pouch or inserting the spout into the mouth), without requiring additional mechanical components or complex actuation mechanisms. This self-service approach improves ease of operation while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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 solution provides a secure, tamper-evident, and leak-resistant closure system that maintains product integrity and allows for easy dispensing of low viscosity products without accidental spillage, while visually indicating if the pouch has been opened.
Implementation Method 1
a permanent snap lock anti-back off structure comprising at least one permanent snap lock anti-back off portion that is configured to flex over the rotation preventing boss upon screwing of the socket onto the neck of the spout and then snap behind said rotation preventing boss
Implementation Method 2
The bore has an interior surface provided with a second screw thread that is configured to cooperate with the first screw thread upon screwing the socket onto the neck of the spout
Data Source
AI summary
A spouted pouch has a spout (10) having an exterior surface provided with a first screw thread (21). The spout body is provided with a rotation preventing boss (25, 26). A closure device (40) secured on the neck and comprises: —a socket (50; 150) configured to the screwed onto the neck (12) of the spout (10), —a user openable or user removable cap (70; 170) supported on the socket in a manner so as to be openable or removable relative to the socket (50; 150). The socket has a bore (52) with a second screw thread (56) that cooperates with the first screw thread upon screwing the socket onto the neck. An upper section of the exterior surface of the socket body defines a discharge portion (53). At a lower end the socket body is provided with a permanent snap lock anti-back off structure (60) comprising a portion (61, 63; 161, 162) that is configured to flex over the rotation preventing boss (25, 26) upon screwing of the socket onto the neck and then snap behind said boss. This structure is configured to remain intact upon a user opening or removing the cap for the first time. The cap (70; 170), in a closed position thereof, covers the discharge portion (53) and in an opened or removed position clears the discharge portion (53).