Container Closure Torque-Limiting and Vacuum Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closures for containers fail to effectively withstand high-pressure and high-temperature sterilization processes, such as retort, while also ensuring secure sealing and easy removal without requiring excessive torque or being prone to vacuum-induced lid retention.
Innovation Solution
A closure system comprising a floating lid and a lid-retainer ring, made of plastic materials, with torque-limiting means to prevent over-rotation and fluid-drainage features to manage pressure, along with a lid-removal mechanism to counteract vacuum pressure, allowing for secure sealing and easy removal during the retort process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the closure is tightly sealed to ensure secure sealing during sterilization, then sealing reliability is improved, but removal becomes difficult due to vacuum pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is divided into two functional parts: a floating lid that provides the seal and a lid-retainer ring that provides structural support and removal features. This segmentation allows the lid to be pried off easily from the retainer ring while maintaining a tight seal against the container during storage and sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid-retainer ring includes pre-formed features such as engagement protrusions and pry-off mechanisms that are prepared in advance to overcome vacuum pressure during removal. These features are designed to engage with the floating lid and container opening beforehand, enabling easy removal without requiring excessive force.
2Reliability
If excessive torque is applied during closure installation, then sealing force is improved, but over-torque damage occurs to the closure or container
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic torque-limiting mechanism. The torque-limiting means allows the closure to rotate freely up to a predetermined torque threshold, then engages to prevent further rotation, automatically adjusting the sealing force to optimal levels without causing over-torque damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque-limiting means acts as an intermediary element between the closure and container, mediating the torque transmission. It includes features such as a torque-limiting ring or cam mechanism that controls the force transfer, ensuring sufficient sealing pressure while preventing excessive force that could damage the closure or container.
3Ease of manufacture
If the closure structure is simplified for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but ability to withstand retort process is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The closure utilizes parameter changes in material properties to achieve retort resistance without complex structures. The plastic materials are selected and formulated to have specific thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties that allow them to withstand high temperature and pressure sterilization processes while maintaining structural integrity and sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure employs composite material construction, combining different plastic materials with complementary properties. The floating lid may use materials with specific thermal expansion coefficients and chemical resistance, while the lid-retainer ring uses materials with appropriate mechanical strength and rigidity, creating a composite structure that withstands retort conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A canister includes a container and a closure. The container is formed to include a product-storage region to receive products and the closure is configured to seal off a brim of the container to block access to the product-receiving container when the closure is rotated in a clockwise direction. The closure includes a lid-retainer ring and a floating lid that covers a mouth of the container.