Tethered Hinged Closure for Open-Position Cap Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closures for containers often lack a mechanism to maintain the cap in 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 interfaces with the container neck to bias the cylindrical wall away, and tethers maintaining the coupling between the cylindrical wall and retention band, allowing the cap to be retained in an open position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a closure is designed to open easily for access, then ease of operation is improved, but the cap may fall off or cause spillage due to lack of retention
Solution Approach 1:
The closure transitions from a static sealed state to a dynamic open state through controlled movement. The cap pivots on a hinge axis and can be positioned at different angles (closed, open, or intermediate positions), allowing it to adapt to different operational states while maintaining retention through the tether connection
Solution Approach 2:
The tether acts as an intermediary element between the cap and the closure body. It mediates the separation by maintaining a physical connection that prevents complete detachment while allowing the cap to move to an open position for access
2Reliability
If frangible members are used to provide visual indication of opening, then reliability of tamper evidence is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible members are integrated into the tether structure itself rather than being separate components. The tether includes weakened sections that form part of the tether's continuous structure, combining the retention function with the tamper-evident indication function in a single integrated element
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible members provide visual indication through their structural state rather than color change. When intact, they maintain continuous tether structure; when broken, they create visible gaps or discontinuities in the tether that indicate tampering or opening
3Ease of operation
If a tab is added to bias the cylindrical wall away from the container neck, then ease of operation is improved for maintaining open position, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tab acts as a counterbalancing element that offsets the natural tendency of the cap to return to the closed position. By interfacing with the container neck, the tab creates a mechanical leverage effect that maintains the cap in an open position without requiring additional active retention mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The tab extends in a direction perpendicular to the main axis of the closure, utilizing a different spatial dimension for its function. This allows the tab to interface with the container neck in a way that provides mechanical advantage for maintaining the open position without interfering with the vertical sealing function
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 design ensures the cap remains displaced from the container opening, facilitating easy access for consumption without interference, while providing a visual indication of opening and maintaining a secure seal during use.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of frangible members, the frangible members providing a visual indication, when broken, that the closure has been opened
Implementation Method 2
a tab that extends from the cylindrical wall, the tab configured to interface against a neck of the container to bias the cylindrical wall of the closure away from the container neck
Implementation Method 3
a retention band pivotally coupled to the cylindrical wall
Data Source
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.