Closure Assembly with Flexible-Ring Venting for Excess Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage containers, especially those made of plastic, are prone to rupture due to increased pressure from temperature changes or uncontrolled fermentation, posing a risk of injury and environmental impact, and existing solutions like overpressure valves increase complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A closure assembly with a flexible sealing ring that moves between a compressed and an uncompressed position to allow pressure relief through a groove when internal pressure exceeds a certain threshold, using existing sealing ring components and minimizing additional parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an overpressure valve is added to prevent rupture, then safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing ring with the overpressure relief function by integrating a groove structure directly into the sealing ring. The sealing ring serves dual purposes: maintaining the seal during normal operation and providing pressure relief when overpressure occurs, thereby eliminating the need for a separate overpressure valve component.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides the primary sealing function during normal operation and simultaneously acts as an overpressure relief mechanism through its groove structure. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the closure assembly.
2Reliability
If an overpressure valve is added to prevent rupture, then safety is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing ring with the overpressure relief function by integrating a groove structure directly into the sealing ring. The sealing ring serves dual purposes: maintaining the seal during normal operation and providing pressure relief when overpressure occurs, thereby eliminating the need for a separate overpressure valve component.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides the primary sealing function during normal operation and simultaneously acts as an overpressure relief mechanism through its groove structure. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the closure assembly.
3Loss of substance
If thin walled containers are used to save material, then material usage is reduced, but rupture risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preliminary safety mechanism by designing the sealing ring with an integrated groove structure that proactively prevents overpressure buildup before it can cause rupture. The groove provides a predetermined failure path for excess pressure, allowing controlled venting before the thin-walled container reaches its rupture point.
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
This solution effectively reduces the risk of container rupture without adding complexity or cost, by allowing controlled pressure release through the existing sealing ring and groove, ensuring safety and environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing ring being movable between a first position in which the sealing ring is accommodated in a compressed state entirely within a circumferential cavity defined between the cylindrical part of the closure and the outwardly oriented surface of the neck part at a location between the rim and the circumferential flange when the temperature dependent internal carbonization pressure is lower than or equal to the temperature dependent internal carbonization pressure at room temperature
Implementation Method 2
a flexible sealing ring movable between a first position in which the sealing ring is accommodated in a compressed state
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
A closure assembly for a beverage container suitable for accommodating a carbonated beverage, the beverage container having a cylindrical neck part defining a circumferential rim defining an opening (18) and an outwardly oriented surface (24) having an outwardly oriented circumferential flange (20), the closure assembly comprising a closure (30) comprising a closure plate (32) and a cylindrical part (34), said closure plate (32) configured for covering said beverage container opening at said rim and said cylindrical part (34) configured for covering said neck part between said rim and said circumferential flange, said cylindrical part (34) comprising a locking part (36) configured for arresting said outwardly oriented circumferential flange of said neck part, the closure (30) defining an interior surface configured for facing an interior of the beverage container, and a flexible sealing ring (40) configured to move between a first position in which said sealing ring is accommodated in a compressed state entirely within a circumferential cavity defined between said cylindrical part of said closure and said outwardly oriented surface of said neck part at a location between said rim and said circumferential flange when a pressure on the interior surface of the closure is lower than or equal to a temperature dependent internal carbonization pressure at room temperature, which is between 0°C and 60°C, and, a second position in which a larger part of said sealing ring is accommodated in a compressed state within said circumferential cavity defined between said cylindrical part of said closure and said outwardly oriented surface of said neck at a location between said rim and said circumferential flange, and a smaller part of said sealing ring is located in an uncompressed state within a groove (28) in said cylindrical part (34) and located adjacent said circumferential cavity for allowing fluid communication between said gas filled head space and the exterior of said beverage container when said pressure on the interior surface of the closure is higher than said temperature dependent internal carbonization pressure at room temperature.