Ceramic Vessel Lid Seal Structure for Tolerance-Resistant Airtight Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ceramic and glass dinnerware often have manufacturing tolerances that are too large, leading to inconsistent sealing and stacking issues with existing lid systems, which can compromise the air-tightness and usability of dinnerware vessels.
Innovation Solution
A ceramic or glass vessel-lid combination featuring a plastic lid with integrated latches and a seal structure that accommodates varying tolerances through a compressible seal member with a large radius and angled locking surfaces, allowing for secure attachment and stacking while maintaining air-tightness and ease of cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional lid systems are used with ceramic and glass dinnerware, then the vessels can be sealed, but manufacturing tolerances cause inconsistent sealing and stacking issues
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is designed with a large radius and compressible material properties that allow it to deform and accommodate variations in vessel dimensions. By changing the physical parameters of the seal (compressibility, radius), the system can maintain consistent sealing despite manufacturing tolerances in the ceramic and glass vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member acts as an intermediary element between the lid and the vessel rim. This intermediate component absorbs the dimensional variations and creates a reliable seal interface, decoupling the sealing function from the precise dimensional control of the vessel itself.
2Reliability
If a secure latch mechanism is used to ensure air-tight sealing, then sealing reliability improves, but the latching force required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism uses angled surfaces that convert vertical latching motion into horizontal sealing force. By changing the geometric parameters of the latch (angled surfaces), the system achieves reliable sealing with reduced latching force compared to direct vertical compression mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member's large radius and curved geometry distribute the latching force more evenly around the vessel perimeter. This curvature allows the seal to engage gradually and maintain sealing with lower peak forces compared to sharp-edged or flat sealing surfaces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a complex latch system is used to accommodate manufacturing variations, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch system uses simple geometric parameters (angled surfaces, spring preload) that naturally accommodate dimensional variations without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms. The adaptability comes from the physical behavior of the components rather than complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded latch mechanism automatically adjusts to accommodate manufacturing variations in vessel dimensions. The spring preload and angled surfaces create a self-adjusting system that maintains sealing without requiring manual adjustment or complex control, reducing overall device complexity.
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 a reliable air-tight seal and facilitates stacking of dinnerware vessels with reduced latching force, accommodating manufacturing variations in ceramic and glass materials, enhancing user experience and storage efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a compressible seal member with a large radius and angled locking surfaces
Implementation Method 2
a compressible seal member with a large radius and angled locking surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary embodiment of a vessel-lid combination includes a ceramic or glass vessel having an open top surrounded by a peripheral edge, a lid fabricated of a plastic material, and a seal structure. The lid is configured to attach to the open top by means of a latch or set of latches integrated with the lid, and the seal structure is configured to provide an air-tight seal between the lid and the peripheral edge of the vessel when the lid is attached to the vessel.