Container Seal Segmentation for Controlled Detachment and Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing containers with annular seals along the entire flanged face require high internal pressure for unsealing, leading to unpredictable and incomplete discharge of contents, as the detachment point is not fixed, resulting in residual contents remaining in the container.

Innovation Solution

A container design with a reverse-oriented annular seal portion that detaches first, occupying part of the flanged face and projecting inward, along with auxiliary seal portions to stabilize the discharge direction and prevent inadvertent detachment, ensuring controlled and complete discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sealing is provided along the flanged face over the entire width direction, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the inside pressure required for unsealing becomes too high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidinside pressure required for unsealing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The annular seal portion is segmented into multiple regions: a first annular seal portion at the radially outer edge providing strong sealing, and a second annular seal portion at the radially inner edge with weaker sealing that detaches first. This segmentation allows the sealing to maintain reliability while requiring lower unsealing pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the seal portion are given different sealing strengths. The first annular seal portion has stronger sealing properties to maintain overall sealing reliability, while the second annular seal portion has weaker sealing properties to facilitate easier detachment at lower pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If a sharp projecting portion is provided as an exfoliation guiding portion, then the detachment initiation is improved, but the detachment position remains unpredictable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetachment initiationVSAvoiddetachment position precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The seal portion is divided into distinct first and second annular seal portions with different sealing strengths. The second portion is specifically designed to detach first, creating a predictable detachment path that guides the exfoliation process reliably to a specific position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If the annular seal portion detaches completely, then the contents can be discharged, but a large amount of contents remains inside the container

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge efficiencyVSAvoidresidual contents
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The detachment process is segmented into stages: first the second annular seal portion detaches to create an initial discharge path, then the first annular seal portion detaches to complete the discharge. This staged detachment ensures complete and efficient contents discharge while minimizing residuals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second annular seal portion is pre-configured to detach first, creating a preliminary discharge path that guides the contents flow. This preliminary action ensures that contents are directed efficiently outward, reducing the amount that remains in the container.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 container ensures predictable and efficient discharge of contents by initiating detachment at a specified position, reducing residual amounts and maintaining the sealed state during handling and storage.

Implementation Method 1

a portion of the annular seal portion being detached in response to increase of pressure inside the container body associated with deformation of the container body resulting from application of an external force to a bottom face of the container body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure increase: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3017732B1container
Publication Date: 2019.08.21 SUNTORY HLDG LTD
  • EP3017732B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3017732B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3017732B1 patent drawingFigure 5(a)~6

AI summary

Provided is a container that allows a portion where detachment starts to be fixed at a specified position in a more reliable manner, thus allowing contents to be discharged in a direction expected by a user, allowing eventually reduction in the amount of contents to remain in the container in the end. The container includes a container body 2 holding contents C therein and a lid member for 9 closing an opening of the container body 2, the container body 2 and the lid member 9 being sealed with each other by an annular seal portion 6 formed along a flanged face 5 of the opening. At a specified portion of the annular seal portion 6, there is provided a detaching seal portion 6S which is detached in response to increase of pressure inside the container body 2 associated with deformation of the container body 2. The detaching seal portion 6S includes a reverse-oriented annular seal portion 6A which occupies a part of a width of the flanged face 5 and which projects toward a radial inner side of the opening.