Adaptive Sealing Lid System with Compressive Spring Urging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional container sealing systems, such as those with tongue-and-slot arrangements, suffer from unsatisfactory sealing under heavy loads, deformation, and difficulty in stacking due to non-flat surfaces and reliance on friction, which leads to issues with air and moisture resistance.
Innovation Solution
A containment system with a shaped rim and adaptive sealing lid system that uses hingably engaged lid members and compressive spring urging for continuous contact, providing air and moisture resistance through interfitting arrangements and adaptive gasketing, allowing for staged or simultaneous closing and enabling convenient stacking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tongue-and-slot sealing arrangements are used, then sealing is provided through friction resistance, but sealing performance deteriorates under heavy loads and deformation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sealing mechanism from friction-based to compression-based by introducing spring members that apply continuous compressive force to the sealing surface, thereby maintaining reliable sealing under heavy loads without relying on friction resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spring members as intermediary elements between the lid and container to provide continuous sealing pressure. These springs act as mediators that maintain constant contact force regardless of external heavy loads, preventing separation and deformation
2Reliability
If flat lids with projecting rims are used for sealing, then sealing contact is achieved, but stacking difficulty increases due to non-flat top surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the stacking problem by designing the sealing mechanism to operate in a different dimensional approach - using compression force applied at the sealing surface rather than relying on the lid's outer rim geometry, allowing flat stacking surfaces while maintaining effective sealing contact
3Ease of operation
If removable lids are used, then access to container interior is easy, but sealing continuity deteriorates under stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service sealing through spring members that automatically maintain sealing pressure. The springs self-adjust to maintain continuous contact between the lid and container regardless of external stress, eliminating the need for complex locking mechanisms while ensuring sealing continuity
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 system achieves effective air and moisture resistance even under substantial stress, facilitates easy stacking, and maintains a flat surface for improved compatibility and sealing performance.
Implementation Method 1
compressive spring urging for continuous contact
Implementation Method 2
reliance on friction
Data Source
AI summary
A containment system includes a bounded container having a shaped rim region and a sealing multi-hinged lid system engaging respective rim regions and respective closing lid members. Optionally, the wall sections are collapsible and a rim-lid interface and a lid-lid interface are discontinuous to aid sealing. Optionally, a sliding lock function is provided to enhance positive lid closure. An alternative interfitting arrangement provides a positive compressive urging proximate respective contact regions where the lids and the shaped rim interfit, and between lids, to provide air and moisture resistance to the containment system.