Easy-Open Container Rim With Heat Sealable Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing easy-open containers, such as metal and plastic cans, face challenges in being cost-effective while ensuring safety and ease of use, as they often have sharp edges or are not suitable for extreme conditions.
Innovation Solution
A container with an integral heat seal zone on the rim, coated with a heat sealable powder or hot melt coating comprising a blend of acid-modified polypropylene (PP) with polyester polymers and epoxy or phenoxy resins, allowing for a secure and easy opening mechanism without sharp edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a scored metal end is used for easy opening, then the container allows easy opening, but sharp edges are created when opened
Solution Approach 1:
A heat sealable coating is applied as an intermediary layer on the rim of the container. This coating acts as a mediator between the metal container and the user, providing a safe sealing surface that eliminates sharp edges while maintaining easy-opening functionality through heat-activated sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical and chemical parameters of the rim surface are changed by applying a heat sealable coating. This coating transforms the hard, sharp metal surface into a softer, safer surface that can be heat-sealed, changing the temperature, surface texture, and material composition parameters of the sealing area.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a heat sealable coating is applied to the rim, then safety is improved by eliminating sharp edges, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sealable coating is applied in advance during the container manufacturing process, before the container is put into service. This preliminary action integrates the safety feature into the manufacturing workflow itself, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing modifications and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat sealable coating application is merged with existing container manufacturing processes such as rim rolling or painting operations. By combining multiple functions into a single manufacturing step, the additional complexity is minimized while achieving the safety objective.
3Ease of operation
If existing easy-open containers are used, then ease of opening is achieved, but cost increases due to scored metal ends
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using expensive scored metal end caps, the invention employs a more economical heat sealable coating that can be applied directly to the container rim. This coating provides the necessary easy-opening functionality at a lower cost, replacing the need for costly pre-scored metal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The material parameters of the rim are changed by applying a cost-effective heat sealable coating rather than using expensive scored metal ends. This parameter change in material selection and application method reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the ease-of-opening feature.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, easy-to-open container that ensures safety by eliminating sharp edges and is suitable for various contents and conditions, with a robust heat seal that maintains container integrity.
Implementation Method 1
A heat sealable powder or hot melt coating is applied to the heat seal zone of the upper rim
Implementation Method 2
A heat sealable powder or hot melt coating is applied to the heat seal zone of the upper rim
Data Source
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Figure 8
AI summary
The present application provides a container, such as a metal or plastic can, that has a rim with an integral heat seal zone (26) and a heat sealable powder or hot melt coating (42) applied to the heat seal zone (26) of the upper rim. In another embodiment, the container includes: a sidewall having an upper rim, wherein the upper rim includes an upwardly inclined and integrally formed heat seal zone (26); a heat sealable coating (42) applied to the heat seal zone (26) of the upper rim; and a peelable foil lid (30) removably attached to the heat seal zone (26) of the upper rim.