Tethered Lid-Spout Locking Structure Against Unintended Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lid-spout assemblies for packages with pourable food products can unintentionally move from the closed position to the open position, leading to unwanted spillage and littering.
Innovation Solution
A lid-spout assembly with a tethering element and a locking mechanism, where a locking ridge interacts with a collar to secure the lid in the closed position, preventing unintentional opening, and includes a coupling membrane that irreversibly ruptures upon first use to ensure controlled outflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lid is made removable to allow controlled opening and closing, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unintentional opening
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing it to be selectively fixed in either closed or open positions through the locking mechanism. The locking ridge on the lid interacts with a corresponding structure on the spout to maintain the lid in the closed position, preventing unintentional opening while allowing intentional opening when needed.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent unintentional opening, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into simple, discrete components: a locking ridge formed as an integral part of the lid structure and a corresponding locking structure on the spout. This segmentation allows the locking function to be achieved without requiring a complex assembly of separate locking components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Reliability
If the lid is securely locked in closed position, then product integrity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in opening
Solution Approach 1:
The lid positioning system provides dynamic control over the lid state. The locking ridge engages with the spout structure to maintain closed position for product integrity, but the system allows intentional opening through controlled interaction between the lid and spout components, balancing security with usability.
Data Source
AI summary
A lid-spout assembly for a package having a main body comprising a designated pour opening and being filled with a pourable product. The lid-spout assembly comprises at least a spout having a pouring outlet, a lid configured to selectively close and open the pouring outlet and a tethering element tethering the lid to the spout and/or the main body. The spout comprises a base frame coupling and/or configured to couple the spout to the main body about the designated pour opening and a collar carrying and/or comprising the pouring outlet and being fixed to and protruding from the base frame. The lid is moveable at least in a closed position in which the lid closes and/or seals the pouring outlet and an open position in which the lid opens the pouring outlet. The lid comprises an interaction ridge being configured to interact with the collar so as to determine a closing force with the lid being arranged in the closed position for retaining the lid in the closed position.