Beverage Can Lid Pressure Equalizing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lid designs for beverage cans fail to provide secure venting during opening, leading to sudden pressure equalization and potential spilling, with existing solutions offering limited protection or being complex and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A lid with a pressure equalizing device featuring a closing element that seals and exposes a pressure equalizing opening, which is reversible to prevent content spilling, using a pin or flexible tube to ensure gas-tight and fluid-tight closure, and an actuating element that can be fixed to prevent inadvertent opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressure equalizing opening is provided in the lid, then pressure equalization during opening is improved, but the lid becomes vulnerable to content escape during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The closing element is positioned to seal the pressure equalizing opening before opening occurs. When the actuating element moves to the open position, the closing element is pulled out of the opening in advance, allowing controlled pressure equalization before the pouring opening is exposed. This preliminary sealing and controlled release prevents sudden content escape while maintaining pressure equalization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing element acts as an intermediary between the pressure equalizing opening and the container contents. It selectively blocks or opens the pressure equalizing opening based on the state of the actuating element, mediating between the need for pressure equalization and the need to prevent content escape during normal operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a closing element is added to seal the pressure equalizing opening, then content escape prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closing element is integrally arranged with the actuating element, merging two separate components into one. This integral design reduces the number of separate parts, simplifies assembly, and reduces manufacturing complexity while still providing the necessary sealing function for the pressure equalizing opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating element serves dual functions: it controls the pouring opening closure and simultaneously controls the closing element that seals the pressure equalizing opening. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the closing element is integrally arranged with the actuating element, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but sealing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The closing element incorporates a flexible membrane that can deform to create reliable sealing contact with the pressure equalizing opening. This flexible sealing surface compensates for manufacturing tolerances and ensures consistent sealing performance despite the integral construction with the actuating element.
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 secure and reversible pressure equalization, preventing content spilling during opening and resealing the lid effectively, reducing the force required to open the pouring opening after venting, and ensuring a tamper-proof closure.
Implementation Method 1
pouring opening which can be closed in a gas-tight and/or fluid-tight manner by way of at least one closure element
Implementation Method 2
pressure equalizing device which cooperates with the at least one actuating element
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a lid (100) of a container, especially a beverage can, comprising a substantially flat lid surface (101) and a preferably folded edge area (102), and at least one pouring opening (103) arranged on the lid surface (101), which pouring opening can be closed in a gas-tight and/or fluid-tight manner by way of at least one closure element (120) arranged in the region of the underside of the lid surface (101) facing the interior of the container, with the closure element (120) being movable from a closed position to an open position by an actuating element (110), and at least one pressure equalizing device is provided which cooperates with the at least one actuating element (110), wherein the at least one pressure equalizing device comprises at least one closing element (112, 113), and at least one pressure equalizing opening (123) is provided which is closeable by means of the at least one closing element (112, 113, 114) when the actuating element (110) is in the closed position and can be exposed entirely upon moving the actuating element (110) from the closed position to the open position, with the exposure of the pressure equalizing opening (123) being reversible.