Container Rim Bead Mechanism for Secure Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container systems for storing substances like paint and other materials often experience accidental lid opening when stored in close proximity, and require dedicated tools for opening, which can damage the container.

Innovation Solution

A container system with a curled-over upper edge forming a smooth, rigid rim and a lid with an inwardly curled edge portion and an outer portion that includes a sealing surface with an inverted U shape, allowing for easy sealing and opening without a dedicated tool, using a bead on the container body and an insert point on the lid for common tool access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the lid outer portion connects with a raised surface or another container system when stored in close proximity, then the lid can be opened by accident, but the sealing function is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing functionVSAvoidaccidental opening
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bead on the container body and the corresponding recess on the lid create a pre-established mechanical interference that prevents the lid from being accidentally opened. The bead protrudes radially outward to engage with the recess, creating a preliminary blocking action that counteracts any forces that might otherwise cause accidental opening during storage or handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Ease of operation

If a dedicated tool is used to open the lid, then the lid can be separated from the container body, but the tool can be misplaced or lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelid separationVSAvoiddedicated tool requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The opening function is extracted from the dedicated tool and integrated directly into the container-lid system through the bead-recess mechanism. The bead serves as both a sealing element and an opening aid, allowing users to engage common tools with the bead or recess structure to easily separate the lid without requiring a specialized dedicated tool that could be misplaced or lost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If other tools are used to open the lid, then the lid can be opened, but the container or lid can be damaged or deformed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening capabilityVSAvoidcontainer integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bead acts as an intermediary element between the opening tool and the lid structure. Instead of applying force directly to the lid rim or sealing surface which could cause damage, the tool engages with the bead or recess, using this intermediary structure to distribute and redirect opening forces through the bead-recess mechanism, thereby protecting the container and lid from deformation while still enabling easy opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the lid is made secure to prevent accidental opening, then the sealing is improved, but the opening process becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccidental opening preventionVSAvoidopening ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bead-recess mechanism provides dynamic functionality: during normal storage, the bead engages with the recess to prevent accidental opening (secure state). During intentional opening, the user applies force to disengage the bead from the recess, transitioning the system to an open state. This dynamic design allows the same structure to provide both secure retention and easy release based on the applied forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4011797A1Container system
Publication Date: 2022.06.15 COLEP PACKAGING PORTUGAL SA
  • EP4011797A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4011797A1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4011797A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present application discloses a container system (1) comprising a container body (2) with a lid, the container body (2) comprises a side wall with an upper edge portion outwardly curled over to form the container rim; the lid (3) comprises an inner portion and an outer portion, the outer portion comprising a sealing portion adapted to engage with a sealing surface of the container rim, the outer portion further comprises outer wall portion with a lid edge portion inwardly curled over to form a lid rim that extends radially inwards from the outer wall portion. The container body (2) further comprises a bead (5) that is vertically adjacent and arranged below the container rim and radially projects outwards and around the side wall, and the lid (3) comprises at least one portion of the outer wall portion projected outwards defining an insert point (26).