Threaded Closure Retainer for Lid Attachment and Vacuum Breaking

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing containers with threaded closure mechanisms do not securely attach the lid to the closure mechanism, leading to potential loss and breakage when opened, especially with fragile materials like glass or ceramic, and fail to effectively break the vacuum during opening.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a retainer element connected to the closure mechanism that constricts the insertion passages, allowing the lid to remain attached and facilitating the breaking of the vacuum by pulling the lid away from the receptacle's mouth during unscrewing, using an elastically deformable material like an annular spring or ring, and employing non-circular geometries to prevent relative rotation between the closure mechanism and lid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the lid is not attached to the closure mechanism, then the closure mechanism can be easily opened and removed, but the lid may be lost or broken when opened, especially with fragile materials like glass or ceramic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of openingVSAvoidlid retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The closure mechanism is divided into separate functional components: the threaded tubular skirt for engagement with the receptacle, the annular disc for supporting the lid, and the retainer element for securing the lid to the closure mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively while working together as an integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer element acts as an intermediary component that connects the lid to the closure mechanism. It mediates between the lid and the closure mechanism, providing a secure attachment that prevents the lid from being lost or broken during opening while still allowing the closure mechanism to be opened and removed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the lid is not attached to the closure mechanism, then the components can be separately manufactured and assembled, but the lid may accidentally fall out from inside the closure mechanism causing breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidlid loss and breakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The closure mechanism is divided into separate functional components: the threaded tubular skirt for engagement with the receptacle, the annular disc for supporting the lid, and the retainer element for securing the lid to the closure mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively while working together as an integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer element acts as an intermediary component that connects the lid to the closure mechanism. It mediates between the lid and the closure mechanism, providing a secure attachment that prevents the lid from being lost or broken during opening while still allowing the closure mechanism to be opened and removed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the lid is freely removable from the closure mechanism, then the closure mechanism can be reused multiple times, but vacuum pressure may prevent the lid from being removed during opening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure mechanism reusabilityVSAvoidopening difficulty due to vacuum

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer element acts as an intermediary component that connects the lid to the closure mechanism. It mediates between the lid and the closure mechanism, providing a secure attachment that prevents the lid from being lost or broken during opening while still allowing the closure mechanism to be opened and removed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer element is designed to maintain the attached state of the lid to the closure mechanism throughout the opening process. This preliminary attachment ensures that the lid remains connected even when vacuum pressure acts against removal, and the attached lid can effectively break the vacuum seal during the unscrewing operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If the lid is attached to the closure mechanism, then the lid cannot be lost or broken, but the insertion passages may require higher pressure for hermetic closure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid attachment securityVSAvoidpressure requirements for closure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer element is designed to constrict the insertion passages only at specific locations where the lid passes through, rather than applying uniform pressure throughout the entire closure interface. This localized constriction provides secure attachment while minimizing the overall pressure requirements for hermetic closure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer element is made of an elastically deformable material that can flexibly constrict the insertion passages. This elastic deformation allows the retainer element to maintain a secure attachment while accommodating the pressure requirements for hermetic closure without excessive force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Ensures the lid remains attached to the closure mechanism in the open position, preventing accidental loss and breakage, while effectively breaking the vacuum and allowing easy air entry during opening, with reduced pressure requirements for hermetic closure.

Implementation Method 1

a retainer element (50) made of an elastically deformable material, said retainer element (50) constricting said first insertion passage (44)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

facilitating the breaking of the vacuum that may exist inside the container while it is being unscrewed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum breaking: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3608253B1Container with a lid attached to a threaded closure mechanism

Publication Date: 2021.10.27 BOTTGER BETTINA

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AI summary

The container with a lid attached to a threaded closure mechanism includes a receptacle (10) having a mouth (11) surrounded by a thread (12), a lid (20), a sealing ring (30) and a closure mechanism (40) formed by a disc (41) with a hollow interior and a perimetral tubular skirt (42) provided with an engagement configuration complementary to the thread of the receptacle. The closure mechanism surrounds the lid and holds it against the mouth of the receptacle by means of a threaded attachment between the engagement configuration of the closure mechanism and the thread of the receptacle, assuring proper hermetic closure of the lid with the receptacle in cooperation with the sealing ring and a retainer element (50) connected to the closure mechanism to constrict an insertion passage thereof thereby retaining the lid into the closure mechanism.