Closure device for a container for liquids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing closure devices for liquid containers require complex and difficult-to-manufacture components to prevent splashing and ensure a good seal, making them challenging to assemble and clean, especially for children and individuals with disabilities.

Innovation Solution

A simplified closure device with an elastically deformable membrane that switches between resting and working configurations, featuring a membrane with a main body and lower body, allowing easy assembly and cleaning, and comprising openings for air passage without liquid leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex components with elaborate shapes are used to prevent splashing and ensure sealing, then the sealing performance and splash prevention are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidcomponent complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (sealing, splash prevention, air passage) into a single integrated membrane component. The membrane includes a main body for sealing, a lower body with openings for air passage, and edge portions that engage with the container rim to prevent splashing. This integration eliminates the need for separate gaskets, splash guards, and retaining elements, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliable sealing and splash prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used to achieve closure functions, then the functionality is ensured, but the assembly and cleaning processes become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosure functionalityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane is designed as a single-piece component that performs multiple closure functions simultaneously. The main body provides sealing, the lower body with openings enables air passage while preventing liquid leakage, and the edge portions ensure proper engagement with the container. This unified structure is easier to manufacture and assemble compared to multiple separate components, while maintaining full closure functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If components with narrow recesses and elaborate shapes are used, then the sealing and splash prevention are achieved, but the cleaning accessibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal qualityVSAvoidcleaning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane features a simplified integrated design without narrow recesses or hard-to-access areas. The smooth surface and lack of complex internal structures make it easy to clean while maintaining effective sealing through the engagement of edge portions with the container rim and the configuration of the main and lower bodies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If a simplified membrane structure is used, then the manufacturing and cleaning are easier, but the functionality to prevent splashing and ensure sealing must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidseal and splash prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane integrates sealing, air passage, and splash prevention functions into a single simplified structure. The main body ensures sealing, the lower body with openings allows air passage, and the edge portions prevent splashing. This unified design achieves all required functionalities while maintaining manufacturing simplicity and ease of cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 device achieves easy manufacturing, assembly, and cleaning while effectively preventing splashes and ensuring a seal, suitable for children and individuals with disabilities.

Implementation Method 1

a membrane (2) adapted to elastically deform to pass between a resting configuration and a working configuration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4494528B1Closure device for a container for liquids
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 ARTSANA SPA
  • EP4494528B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4494528B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4494528B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Closure device (1) for a container (100) for liquids, comprising an elastically deformable membrane (2), having a main body (3), which can be placed to close an opening (105) of a container (100). The membrane (2) comprises a connection portion (4), an impervious main wall (5) protruding from the connection portion (4) and a free edge (6) which is elastically deformable in the presence of an external suction action. The membrane (2) also has a lower body (8) projecting from the connection portion (4) and comprising a plurality of openings (9) for the passage of liquids and a retaining flange (10) engageable with an edge (110) of the container (100). The membrane (2) is configured to switch between a resting configuration and a working configuration, in which the free edge (6) of the main body (3) is respectively spaced apart and close to the retaining flange (10) of the lower body (8).