Elastic Membrane Closure Device for Liquid Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure systems for liquid containers, such as bottles, often require complex mechanisms with multiple parts, making them costly and difficult to clean, and can interfere with young children's use due to design flaws like jamming with lips or tongues.
Innovation Solution
A simplified closure device with a membrane that can be easily operated by axial thrust, featuring a limited number of parts, where the neck moves between closed and open positions with elastic return, acting as both a seal and a spring, and includes an additional elastic member for secure closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex closure system with multiple parts is used, then sealing quality can be improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane combines multiple functions into a single component: it acts as both the sealing element and the return spring mechanism. The membrane is arranged to be deformable by the axial end of the tube, eliminating the need for separate sealing and spring components while maintaining both sealing quality and automatic return functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it provides the seal against the orifice, acts as the return spring through its elastic deformation, and enables the opening/closing operation through its deformability. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of parts while maintaining system reliability.
2Reliability
If a complex closure system with multiple parts is used, then sealing quality can be improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the sealing function and return spring function into the single membrane component, the system reduces the number of parts that need to be assembled and disassembled. The membrane can be easily removed and reinstalled as a single piece, significantly simplifying manufacturing and cleaning processes compared to systems with multiple separate components.
3Reliability
If a closure system with a gap between obturator and neck is used, then sealing can be achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to jamming with lips or tongue
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is a flexible thin film element that is deformable by the axial end of the tube. This flexibility allows the membrane to be easily deformed by gentle pressure from lips or tongue, enabling easy operation by young children while still providing reliable sealing when closed. The membrane's elastic properties allow it to return to its closed position after deformation.
4Ease of operation
If the neck is movably mounted with elastic return, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane combines the sealing function and return spring mechanism into a single component. The membrane is arranged to be deformable by the axial end of the tube, providing the return force through its elastic deformation without requiring a separate spring mechanism. This merging maintains ease of operation while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane provides self-service by automatically returning to its closed position through its elastic properties after being deformed by the tube's axial end. This self-returning mechanism eliminates the need for complex external spring mechanisms or additional components to provide the return force, simplifying the overall device while maintaining ease of operation.
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 solution provides a user-friendly, watertight closure system that is easy to clean and maintain, with reduced parts for lower manufacturing costs and improved usability, especially for children, ensuring the container remains sealed when not in use.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic membrane (14) arranged in an opening (15) of the neck (4)
Implementation Method 2
the membrane (14) elastically urges the return of the neck (4) in the top closed position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4b
Figure 5~9
AI summary
The invention concerns a closure device (1) for a liquid container (2), characterised in that it comprises: a base (3) intended to be mounted on the container (2), the base (3) comprising a tube (7) intended to be brought into communication with the inside of the container (2), a neck (4) mounted so as to be able to move on the base (3) between a high closing position and a low opening position, an elastic membrane (14; 14'; 14''; 14'''; 14'''') arranged in an opening (15) of the neck (4), the membrane (14; 14'; 14''; 14'''; 14'''') comprising at least one slot (16) closed on itself in an inoperative position when the neck (4) is in the high closing position, the tube (7) being arranged behind the membrane (14; 14'; 14''; 14'''; 14'''') in the high closing position of the neck (4) such that, when the neck (4) is lowered towards the base (3) into the low opening position, the membrane (14; 14'; 14''; 14'''; 14'''') is opened by the axial end (13a) of the tube (7) deforming the at least one slot (16).