Hinged Container Sealing Protection via Dimensional Buffer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers with hinged covers for storing products like drugs and test strips face reliability issues due to manufacturing defects in sealing portions, leading to compromised air tightness, especially when opened and closed multiple times.
Innovation Solution
A container design with a cylindrical inner and outer wall, featuring a sealing portion at the outer edge of the inner wall with a smaller apex height than the outer wall, protected by the outer wall, and radii to prevent damage, along with a detachable cover and snap connection for improved manufacturing and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sealing portion is positioned at the outer edge of the inner wall with apex height less than outer wall height, then the sealing portion is protected against damage during handling and shipping, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the sealing portion at the outer edge of the inner wall rather than at the center, utilizing the dimensional space created by the wall thickness. The apex of the sealing portion is positioned at a height less than the outer wall height, creating a protective dimensional buffer zone that prevents damage during handling while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed with the sealing portion pre-positioned in a protected location before any damage can occur. The outer wall acts as a preliminary protective barrier that prevents contact with the sealing portion during shipping and handling, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing protection measures.
2Ease of operation
If the container is designed with a hinged cover for repeated opening and closing, then the ease of operation improves, but the air tightness deteriorates due to manufacturing defects at sealing portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible lip made of elastomeric material that can be replaced or deforms to create new sealing surfaces with each use. This flexible component absorbs the wear and manufacturing imperfections that occur during repeated opening and closing operations, maintaining air tightness without requiring precision manufacturing of the entire sealing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mechanism utilizes changes in the physical state of the elastomeric material - specifically its flexibility and ability to deform under compression. The flexible lip changes its shape and compliance parameters during closing operations to compensate for manufacturing variations and maintain consistent sealing performance over time.
3Ease of manufacture
If the sealing portion is exposed at the outer edge without protection, then the ease of manufacture improves, but the reliability decreases due to damages during shipping and handling
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing portion is nested within the protective structure of the outer wall. The inner wall containing the sealing portion is positioned such that the outer wall surrounds and protects it, creating a nested configuration where the vulnerable sealing component is shielded by the more robust outer structure during shipping and handling.
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
Enhances air tightness and reliability by protecting the sealing portion during handling and manufacturing, reducing material defects and moisture ingress, with a significant reduction in moisture ingress by 35% compared to prior designs.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible lip is often part of such containers, whereby the flexible lip is a projection that projects concentrically from an interior surface of the base of the cover. When the skirt of the cover overlies the container and at least a portion of the rim of the container engages the inner wall of the skirt of the cover, the flexible lip interacts with the rim to sufficiently deflect so as to form a releasable seal between the cover and the container.
Data Source
AI summary
Container (100) for loosely stored products comprising a container body (10), a cover (20), and a hinge (22) placed between the container body (10) and the cover (20) wherein the cover (20) has a cylindrical inner wall (30) and a cylindrical outer wall (32), and the inner wall (30) is provided with a sealing portion (34) at the outer edge of the inner wall (30), wherein the vertical position. (A) of an apex (36) of the sealing portion (34) is smaller than the vertical height (B) of the outer wall (32).