Container Lid Bead Geometry for Opening Force and Ventilation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container designs face challenges in generating sufficient force to break open the metal mirror at the dividing line, especially when the mirror is bent, due to small wall thicknesses, leading to deformation and limited material for shaping the inclined surface.

Innovation Solution

The container features a lid tongue with both a depression bead and an elevation bead, forming an inclined surface that provides a longer ramp length, and a second lid element with a rotary movement to apply force, accompanied by a ventilation mechanism to release pressure before breaking the dividing line, allowing for easy opening and re-closure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a single raised bead or recess bead is used to form the inclined surface, then the ramp height can be increased to provide sufficient opening force, but the mirror material deforms excessively due to small wall thicknesses and limited material availability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening forceVSAvoidmirror material strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The inclined surface is segmented into two distinct beads: a raised bead and a recess bead. This segmentation allows the opening force to be distributed across two separate structural features rather than concentrating stress in a single bead, thereby preventing excessive deformation of the thin mirror material while still achieving the necessary ramp height for sufficient opening force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The recess bead acts as a counterbalancing feature to the raised bead. The depression created by the recess bead compensates for the material displacement caused by the raised bead, creating a more balanced stress distribution in the thin mirror material. This counterbalancing effect prevents excessive deformation while maintaining the required ramp geometry for adequate opening force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Length of moving object

If the bead height or depth is extended to increase the system-related path, then the opening force is sufficient, but the mirror material undergoes strong deformation due to small thickness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveramp lengthVSAvoidmirror material integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The total ramp length is divided into two segments corresponding to the raised bead and recess bead. This segmentation allows achieving the required system-related path (ramp length) without requiring a single excessively deep or high bead that would cause mirror material deformation. The combined effect of both beads provides the necessary travel distance while distributing stress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of increasing ramp length by deepening a single bead in one dimension, the solution uses two beads of moderate depth/height arranged in sequence. This dimensional redistribution allows achieving the same functional ramp length while keeping individual bead depths within limits that prevent mirror material deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the inclined surface area is increased to provide better force distribution, then the opening process is smoother, but the available material area around the dividing line is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening smoothnessVSAvoidavailable material area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The inclined surface functionality is segmented into two beads, each contributing to the overall force distribution. This segmentation allows the total effective area for force distribution to be increased without requiring a single large continuous area, as each bead can be optimally sized within the limited material availability around the dividing line.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each bead (raised and recess) is designed with specific local geometric properties optimized for its position. The raised bead and recess bead have different dimensions and profiles tailored to their respective locations, maximizing the force distribution effectiveness within the constrained material area around the dividing line.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 design ensures effective breaking of the dividing line with reduced deformation and material stress, allowing for easy handling and ventilation of the container, particularly beneficial for carbonated beverages, while maintaining the container's compactness and ability to be resealed.

Implementation Method 1

the inclined surface being composed of at least a portion of a flank of the depression bead and at least a portion of a flank of the elevation bead

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInclined plane: Inclined Plane

Implementation Method 2

a rupture line which breaks open the metal mirror (20) at the dividing line (27) so that the dispensing opening (35) is exposed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFracture mechanics: Fracture Mechanics

Data Source

PatentEP1966054B1Container with lid for packaging pourable products
Publication Date: 2010.04.21 BALL PACKAGING EUROPE GMBH
  • EP1966054B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP1966054B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP1966054B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a container with a container body made of a material such as metal, PE or cardboard, which has a primary opening, which is closed by a smooth metal plate acting as a first lid element, the smooth metal plate comprising a lid tab which is defined by a parting line and, after being broken open, exposes an outlet opening, and the lid tongue having a sloping surface, which interacts with a first projection arranged on an opening means that is movable substantially parallel to the smooth plate for applying a force to the lid tab to break open the parting line. In order to ensure that adequate force for breaking open the smooth plate at the parting line of the lid tab can be provided in the case of such a generic container, it is proposed to provide a depressed bead (32) and, alongside it, an elevated bead (36) on the lid tab (30), the sloping surface being made up at least of one portion of a flank (33) of the depressed bead and at least one portion of a flank (37) of the elevated bead. The invention also relates to a lid (20, 50) for such a container and to a method for opening such a container.