Container Pressure Relief Assembly for Controlled Rupture Venting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container venting features lack the ability to provide controlled and targeted depressurization based on predetermined factors, leading to uncontrolled release of contents when pressure exceeds a threshold.

Innovation Solution

A venting system with a pressure relief feature that includes a thinned region with a minimum thickness less than 40% of the container's maximum thickness, extending at least 180 degrees around the longitudinal axis, and located at a distance greater than 80% of the line segment from the axis, featuring notches or curved surfaces to allow controlled rupture and depressurization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a venting feature is added to allow pressure relief, then pressure safety is improved, but control over depressurization timing and location is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure safetyVSAvoidcontrol over depressurization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a thinned region with specific geometric characteristics (minimum thickness less than 40% of maximum wall thickness, extending at least 180 degrees about the longitudinal axis, located at more than 80% of the line segment distance from the axis) in a specific location on the container. This localized thinning creates a predictable rupture point that provides both pressure relief safety and controlled depressurization location, resolving the contradiction between safety and control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the wall thickness is reduced to create a pressure relief feature, then controlled rupture is enabled, but structural strength is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrolled rupture capabilityVSAvoidwall structural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The thinned region is created with specific dimensional parameters (minimum thickness less than 40% of maximum thickness, extending at least 180 degrees about the longitudinal axis, positioned at more than 80% of the line segment distance from the longitudinal axis) to enable controlled rupture only in that localized area, while the rest of the container wall maintains full thickness and structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The thinned region is pre-formed during manufacturing with predetermined geometric characteristics, so that when pressure builds up, the rupture occurs predictably at the pre-weakened location rather than randomly, enabling controlled depressurization while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If a pressure relief feature is added to the container, then depressurization capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedepressurization capabilityVSAvoidcontainer structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure relief feature is implemented as a localized thinned region with specific geometric parameters (minimum thickness less than 40% of maximum thickness, extending at least 180 degrees about the longitudinal axis, positioned at more than 80% of the line segment distance from the longitudinal axis) rather than a separate component, integrating the depressurization function into the existing container wall structure and minimizing added complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure relief feature is merged with the container wall structure itself rather than being a separate component. The thinned region is formed as part of the wall geometry, combining the structural wall function with the pressure relief function in a single integrated feature, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables controlled and targeted pressure relief, preventing uncontrolled release of contents by allowing the container to depressurize at a predetermined threshold, applicable to aerosol cans, battery cell containers, and pressure vessels.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure relief feature that includes a thinned region of the lid or container that defines a minimum thickness that is less than 40% of a maximum thickness of the wall of the respective lid or container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure relief through controlled rupture: Fracture Mechanics

Data Source

PatentEP4192759B1Pressure relief assemblies and methods
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP4192759B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4192759B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4192759B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

The present disclosure generally relates to a venting system (20) that includes a wall (26, 28) of a lid or a container (22), the lid or container (22) defining a central longitudinal axis (50), and a line segment (52) that is measured from the longitudinal axis (50) to an outermost surface of the lid or container (22), and a pressure relief feature (24) that is disposed along the lid or container (22). The pressure relief feature (24) includes a thinned region (58) of the lid or container (22) that defines a minimum thickness that is less than 40% of a maximum thickness of the respective lid or container (22). The pressure relief feature (24) extends at least 180 degrees about the longitudinal axis (50), and the pressure relief feature (24) is located at a distance from the longitudinal axis of more than 80% of the line segment (52).