Composite Container Lid With Vented Inner Liner for Airtight Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smokeless tobacco containers with metal lids are prone to oxidation, and existing solutions do not effectively address this issue while maintaining a secure and airtight seal.
Innovation Solution
A composite lid system comprising an outer metal lid and an inner plastic lid, where the inner plastic lid is attached to the outer metal lid through adhesive bonding, mechanical engagement, or knurling, with vented grooves to allow air escape, ensuring a secure fit and preventing oxidation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an inner plastic lid is attached to an outer metal lid to prevent oxidation, then the metal lid is protected from oxidation, but air trapped between the lids can cause sealing issues and potential product contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the porous materials principle by incorporating vented grooves (channels) into the structure of the inner plastic lid. These grooves create a controlled porous pathway that allows air to escape from the space between the inner plastic lid and outer metal lid during the sealing process, while still maintaining the protective function against oxidation. The grooves enable selective permeability - allowing air molecules to pass through during sealing but preventing liquid or solid contaminants from penetrating
Solution Approach 2:
The vented grooves act as an intermediary structure between the inner plastic lid and outer metal lid. Rather than directly bonding the two lids (which would trap air), the grooves provide a mediating pathway that facilitates air escape. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by enabling both the protective sealing function and the air venting function simultaneously
2Reliability
If the inner plastic lid is tightly fitted inside the outer metal lid to ensure a secure seal, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but air becomes trapped between the lids causing potential quality issues
Solution Approach 1:
The vented grooves in the inner plastic lid create a controlled porous pathway that allows air to escape during the sealing process. The grooves are strategically designed to maintain the tight fit necessary for effective sealing while providing escape routes for air molecules. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the structure to be both tightly fitted (for sealing) and air-permeable (for air escape)
Solution Approach 2:
The inner plastic lid is segmented with vented grooves that divide the otherwise continuous sealing surface. This segmentation creates multiple air escape pathways distributed across the lid structure, allowing air to vent efficiently while maintaining overall sealing integrity. The segmentation principle transforms a potentially problematic continuous seal into a controlled multi-pathway system
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 composite lid system effectively prevents oxidation of the metal lid while maintaining a secure and airtight seal, enhancing the package's durability and preserving the product's flavor.
Implementation Method 1
the cylindrical sidewall of the inner plastic lid includes at least one vertical groove configured to allow air to escape from a space between the top wall of the outer metal lid and the top wall of the inner plastic lid when the inner plastic lid is attached to the outer metal lid
Implementation Method 2
the outer metal lid is mechanically fitted to the inner plastic lid by knurling the sidewall of the outer metal lid such that indentations are knurled into the sidewall of the outer metal lid and tips of the indentations penetrate an outer surface of the sidewall of the inner plastic lid
Implementation Method 3
the top wall of the outer metal lid is adhesively bonded to the top wall of the inner plastic lid
Implementation Method 4
the at least one detent comprises a plurality of spring biased tabs and the at least one recess comprises an annular groove extending into the sidewall of the inner plastic lid, with tips of the plurality of spring biased tabs located in the annular groove
Implementation Method 5
The composite lid can be fitted on a base having an integral bottom wall and cylindrical sidewall such that the sidewall of the inner plastic lid frictionally engages the sidewall of the base
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A composite lid of a cylindrical container includes an outer metal lid having an integral top wall and sidewall and an inner plastic lid having a top wall and sidewall fitted inside the outer metal lid such that a free end of the sidewall of the inner plastic lid extends beyond a free end of the sidewall of the outer metal lid. The composite lid can be fitted on a base having an integral bottom wall and sidewall such that the sidewall of the inner plastic lid frictionally engages the sidewall of the base. The outer metal lid can be formed by stamping sheet metal, the inner plastic lid can be formed by molding a polymer material and the base can be formed by molding a polymer material. The outer metal lid can be adhesively bonded or mechanically fitted to the inner plastic lid.