Container Lid Structure with Snap-Fit Sealing for Powder Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container lid structures for powdered products, such as infant nutrition, face challenges in achieving effective sealing while allowing easy scoop access, as they are often deformable and economically limited, leading to issues with insect and moisture ingress.
Innovation Solution
A lid structure featuring a snap-fit connection between an upper and lower frame, with circumferential seals that are insect-tight and potentially water-tight, allowing for improved sealing without compromising manufacturing convenience and material efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a large opening is provided for easy scoop access, then ease of operation is improved, but sealing effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lid structure is divided into an upper frame and a lower frame that can be assembled separately. The upper frame includes a lid that pivots on a hinge, allowing the opening to be large for easy scoop access while maintaining sealing capability when closed. The segmentation allows the opening size and sealing surface to be independently optimized.
Solution Approach 2:
A gasket is introduced as an intermediary sealing element between the upper frame and lower frame. The gasket comprises a radially inner circumferential seal and a radially outer circumferential seal, which mediates the sealing function while allowing a large opening for scoop access. The gasket material is selected to provide effective sealing despite the large opening尺寸.
2Ease of manufacture
If a deformable lid is used to reduce material usage and cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but sealing effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lid structure uses different material properties in different regions. The upper frame and lower frame are made of relatively deformable materials for cost-effectiveness, but the gasket is made of a specifically selected sealing material (such as silicone rubber or thermoplastic elastomer) that provides effective sealing. This local quality differentiation allows cost-effective construction while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid structure employs composite construction with the upper frame, lower frame, and gasket made of different materials optimized for their specific functions. The gasket material is selected from silicone rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, or thermoplastic polymer to provide sealing, while the frames use economical deformable materials. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between cost and sealing effectiveness.
3Ease of manufacture
If a snap-fit connection is used to join upper and lower frames, then ease of manufacture is improved, but sealing reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket serves as a mediator between the snap-fit connection and the sealing requirement. The snap-fit connection provides easy assembly of the upper and lower frames, while the gasket ensures sealing reliability by compensating for any minor misalignments or deformations that may occur during snap-fit assembly. The gasket's elastic properties allow it to conform to the mating surfaces despite the simple connection method.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap-fit connection is designed with specific geometric parameters (such as barb dimensions, engagement depth, and tolerance ranges) that ensure sufficient clamping force to hold the gasket in place and maintain sealing reliability. The parameters are optimized to balance assembly ease with sealing performance, allowing simple assembly while preventing leakage.
Data Source
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AI summary
A lid is disclosed for a container having a peripheral wall extending to an upper edge and defining a product containing space. The lid structure (3) comprises a lower frame (8), an upper frame (10) and a lid (12). The lower frame connects to the upper edge of the tub (2) and defines an access opening giving access to the product containing space. The upper frame is connectable to the lower frame in a snap-fit connection and forms a circumferential first seal therewith. The lid is arranged to close the opening, the lid and the upper frame forming a circumferential second seal. In this manner, an improved sealing connection can be achieved and the upper frame can be manufactured separately from the lower frame and joined thereto at a later stage of the production process.