Closure device for containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure devices for infant and child liquid containers are costly to assemble and difficult to clean, with complex parts that require careful handling and may lead to accidental leakage due to their design.
Innovation Solution
A closure device with a removable internal lining and a valve body featuring a cup-shaped element with a resilient side wall that deforms under suction pressure to allow fluid flow, ensuring fluid-tight sealing when not in use, and a simple assembly and disassembly mechanism for easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior art closure devices use multiple distinct parts for valves and coupling mechanisms, then fluid-tight sealing and one-way valve functionality are achieved, but assembly costs increase and cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the valve body, cup-shaped element, and coupling wall into a single integrated component. The valve body includes both the cup-shaped element with resilient side wall and the coupling wall for attachment to the lid, eliminating the need for separate coupling parts and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining fluid-tight sealing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the closure device into two main segments: a rigid lid and a removable internal lining containing the valve mechanism. This segmentation allows the complex valve assembly to be easily removed for cleaning and replacement without disassembling the entire lid, simplifying maintenance while preserving the integrated valve structure.
2Reliability
If prior art closure devices use multiple distinct parts that must be coupled together, then valve functionality is achieved, but assembly costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body integrates the cup-shaped element, resilient side wall, and coupling wall into a single molded piece. This consolidation reduces the number of assembly steps, lowers labor costs, and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining the one-way valve functionality through the resilient side wall's ability to deform under suction pressure.
3Reliability
If prior art closure devices have complex parts requiring careful handling, then fluid control is achieved, but cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device is segmented into a permanent lid and a removable internal lining. The internal lining containing the valve body can be easily detached from the lid for cleaning, allowing thorough washing of fluid-contact surfaces without disassembling the entire closure device or handling complex coupling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body is extracted as a removable component from the lid assembly. This allows the valve mechanism to be easily removed for cleaning and inspection without affecting the lid structure, simplifying maintenance while preserving the fluid control functionality through the resilient side wall design.
4Ease of operation
If the cup-shaped element has a resilient side wall that deforms under suction, then fluid flow is enabled during drinking, but fluid-tight sealing may be compromised during accidental leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient side wall is positioned specifically at the spout opening where suction occurs, allowing localized deformation during drinking. The rest of the valve body and coupling wall remain rigid to maintain overall structural integrity and fluid-tight sealing against accidental leakage when the container is inverted or shaken.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup-shaped element incorporates a resilient side wall that dynamically deforms under suction pressure to open the spout for fluid flow. When suction ceases or during accidental leakage scenarios, the resilient material's elasticity causes the side wall to return to its original position, automatically closing the spout and maintaining fluid-tight sealing without requiring additional mechanical components.
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 reduces assembly costs and enhances cleaning ease while preventing accidental leakage, ensuring effective fluid control and hygiene, even when the container is turned upside down or shaken.
Implementation Method 1
the cup-shaped element (10) is made of a resilient material and is in fluid-tight contact with the first sleeve (5), so as to isolate the spout (4) from the interior of the container in a fluid-tight manner. The free edge of the side wall (10b) is bent toward the center of the first sleeve (5) so that it at least partially does not contact the inner wall (5b) of the first sleeve (5), thereby allowing a negative pressure created through the spout (4) to elastically deform the side wall (10b) and move it away from the first sleeve (5).
Implementation Method 2
allowing a negative pressure created through the spout (4) to elastically deform the side wall (10b) and move it away from the first sleeve (5)
Implementation Method 3
The free edge of the side wall (10b) is bent toward the center of the first sleeve (5) so that it at least partially does not contact the inner wall (5b) of the first sleeve (5), thereby allowing a negative pressure created through the spout (4) to elastically deform the side wall (10b) and move it away from the first sleeve (5)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A closure device for containers comprises a lid having a spout (4) with holes (4a), a valve body (9) attached to the lid and operable on the spout. The valve body comprises a cup-shaped element (10) having a blind bottom wall (10a) and a side wall (10b) that emerges from the bottom wall and delimits an upper opening, the side wall of the cup-shaped element being made of a resilient material, and at least partially contacting a first sleeve (5) of the lid (2), which is in fluid communication with the spout. The side wall of the cup-shaped element contacts the first sleeve in a fluid-tight manner and moves away therefrom in response to reduced pressure through the spout (4). The cup-shaped element has a coupling wall (10c) attached to a second sleeve (6) arranged concentrically within the first sleeve (5).