Deformable Sealing Lip Closure for Blow Molded Containers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Blow molded containers for large volumes of liquids often exhibit geometric inaccuracies and seams at the opening, complicating the positioning and reliable sealing of closures on the neck finish.
Innovation Solution
A closure design featuring a deformable primary sealing lip and supporting elements that engage with the neck finish, allowing for improved sealing through deformation and surface contact, with options for thread, snap lock, or hinge mechanisms, and potentially using injection molded plastic materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid closure is used on blow molded containers, then the closure structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the sealing reliability is poor due to geometric inaccuracies and seams at the container opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible sealing lip made of elastomeric material that can deform to accommodate geometric inaccuracies and seams at the container opening. This flexible element compensates for the imperfections in blow molded containers, achieving reliable sealing without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or multiple sealing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing lip is designed with specific material properties (elastomeric) and geometric parameters (thickness, hardness, flexibility) that allow it to deform under compression. By changing the physical state and mechanical properties of the sealing element, it adapts to the irregular container opening geometry, resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If the sealing lip is made deformable to compensate for geometric inaccuracies, then the sealing quality improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric sealing lip acts as a flexible element that tolerates variations in container opening geometry. Its material properties enable it to deform and conform to irregular surfaces, reducing the need for high precision in closure manufacturing while maintaining reliable sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure combines rigid materials (for the main body structure) with elastomeric materials (for the sealing lip). This composite approach allows the rigid portion to be manufactured with standard precision while the elastomeric sealing lip provides the necessary adaptability to geometric inaccuracies, balancing manufacturing precision requirements with sealing quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a deformable sealing lip is used, then the closure adapts to neck finish variations, but the device complexity increases due to additional sealing components
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric sealing lip is a single flexible component that performs multiple functions: sealing, adapting to geometric variations, and compensating for neck finish imperfections. This unified flexible element achieves high adaptability without requiring multiple separate adjustment mechanisms or complex multi-component sealing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing lip serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the primary seal, accommodates container opening irregularities, and adapts to different neck finish geometries. By making this single component multi-functional, the patent achieves high adaptability to various container types without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
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 closure provides enhanced sealing by deforming to match the neck finish, maintaining a secure seal and improving sealing quality through the use of deformable materials and supporting elements, which adapt to geometric inaccuracies and ensure reliable closure.
Implementation Method 1
A deformable primary sealing lip is arranged on an inner surface of the top deck and extends, respectively protrudes, in a circumferential manner along the inner surface of the top deck. The primary sealing lip is preferably deformable with respect to the top deck.
Data Source
AI summary
The intention relates to a closure (1) for sealing of a neck finish (2) of a liquid container comprising a top deck (3) and an outer skirt (4) extending from the top deck (3) in an axial direction (z) away from the top deck (3) comprising at least one locking means (5) for engaging the closure (1) to the neck finish (2) of the liquid container. A with respect to the top deck (2) deformable primary sealing lip (6) is arranged on an inner surface (7) of the top deck (3) and extends in a circumferential manner along the inner surface (7) of the top deck (3). The primary sealing lip (6) comprises with respect to its cross-section a dorsal end (8) connected to the inner surface (7) of the top deck (3) and a free distal end (9) arranged opposite to the dorsal end (8), wherein the primary sealing lip (6) with respect to its cross section is arranged in an inclined manner facing inwardly. Furthermore, at least one supporting element (10) protrudes from the inner surface (7) of the top deck (3), said supporting element (10) being arranged coaxially to and at least partially in side of the primary sealing lip (6). The at least one supporting element (10) is configured to support the primary sealing lip (6) with respect to the neck finish (2) in an applied position of the closure (1).