Snap-on Container with Dual External Sealing Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing molded plastic containers with snap-on closures face challenges in achieving reliable seals without projecting sealing elements into the container space, which limits their size and efficiency in manufacturing and operation.
Innovation Solution
The container design features a second sealing segment that rests against the rim's front surface in the closed position, combined with a hinge and skirt geometry that ensures a reliable seal and easy operation, allowing for one-piece injection molding and reducing material usage and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing elements project into the container space to ensure reliable sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but the container dimensions increase and material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of projecting sealing elements inward into the container space, the patent inverts the sealing approach by having sealing segments rest on the outer surface of the rim. The first sealing segment rests on the outer side of the rim and the second sealing segment rests on the front surface of the rim, both from the exterior side, eliminating the need for inward projections while maintaining reliable sealing.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate production of container closure and container body is used, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but production time and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the container body and container closure into a single one-piece injection molded part. The container body, rim, hinge, and closure components are all formed simultaneously in one injection molding process, eliminating the need for separate production and subsequent assembly operations, thereby significantly improving productivity while maintaining manufacturing flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a container having a container body with a container opening and a container closure. A hinge connects the container closure to the container body. The container body includes a container wall, which forms a container space. The container opening is surrounded by a rim. The container closure is a snap on closure movable between an open position and a closed position. The container closure has a base with a skirt. The container closure has a first sealing segment and a second sealing segment, wherein the first sealing segment is arranged on an inner side of the skirt and the second sealing segment is arranged on the base. In the closed position, the first sealing segment rests against an outer side of the rim and the second sealing segment rests against a front surface of the rim.