Tethered Hinged Closure with Frangible Opening Indication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container closures do not effectively maintain an open position after initial opening, leading to user inconvenience and potential spillage.

Innovation Solution

A closure design featuring a retention band pivotally coupled to a cylindrical wall with frangible members providing a visual indication of opening, a tab that biases the closure away from the container neck, and tethers maintaining the open position, ensuring the cap remains displaced from the container opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional closure design is used, then the structure is simple, but the closure cannot maintain an open position after initial opening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to maintain open positionVSAvoidclosure structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure is divided into functionally independent segments: a retention band for maintaining open position, a tab for user interaction, and frangible members for one-time sealing. Each segment performs a specific function, allowing the closure to maintain reliability without requiring a completely complex integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retention band is pivotally coupled to the cylindrical wall, creating a dynamic hinge mechanism that allows the band to rotate and maintain the cap in an open position. This dynamic element provides the necessary reliability to keep the closure open without requiring complex locking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the closure is designed to maintain open position, then user convenience is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of drinkingVSAvoidclosure mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure mechanism is designed to automatically maintain the open position through the retention band and hinge structure without requiring continuous user intervention. The tab provides easy one-handed operation by simply requiring the user to press the tab, which activates the hinge mechanism to keep the cap open, eliminating the need for complex manual control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If frangible members are used to indicate opening, then user feedback is provided, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual indication of openingVSAvoidfrangible member placement

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The frangible members are strategically placed at specific locations on the retention band where they provide optimal visual indication of opening. This localized approach ensures that the members are positioned to be visible and functional without requiring high precision across the entire closure structure, as only specific areas need the frangible members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250320035A1Tethered, Hinged Closure

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 SILGAN WHITE CAP LLC

AI summary

A closure includes a cap having a top wall and a skirt perpendicular to the top wall and extending downwardly from the top wall to a lower edge. The skirt includes an inner surface having a sealing formation. A band is concentric with and attached to the lower edge of the skirt by a plurality of frangible members. The band remains coupled to the body of the closure even after being removed from a container.