Folded Rim Seal for Moisture Drainage in Closable Containers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers with pivotable lids face issues of seal damage and leakage due to uneven contact forces and moisture penetration, especially when subjected to strong forces or varying contact pressures between the lid and the container edge.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a lid with a peripheral channel and an elastic seal, where the rim has a fold portion that increases the contact surface area and forms a recess for moisture drainage, and reinforced channel walls for added strength and protection, along with a lever latch and locking mechanism positioned outside the sealing area to prevent moisture ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the rim presses on the seal with strong force to ensure sealing, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the seal can be damaged by the rim pressing on the edge
Solution Approach 1:
The rim is folded back in the direction away from the seal, creating a three-dimensional folded structure. This dimensional change allows the rim to form a larger contact surface area with the seal while reducing the contact pressure in specific areas, preventing seal damage while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The folded rim structure creates different local contact characteristics along its length. Some sections have increased contact area for pressure distribution, while other sections maintain necessary sealing contact. This local variation in contact quality allows the seal to be protected in critical areas while maintaining sealing function elsewhere.
2Reliability
If the contact force between the edge and seal is increased to prevent leakage, then the sealing performance is improved, but moisture can penetrate into the interior if there are different contact forces in some sections
Solution Approach 1:
The folded-back rim creates a recessed area that forms a new dimensional space for moisture collection and drainage. This recess allows moisture to be directed away from the seal interface, preventing penetration into the container interior even when contact forces vary across different sections.
3Strength
If additional material is added to increase the strength of the container, then the structural strength is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rim is segmented through folding, creating multiple folded sections rather than adding separate reinforcement components. This segmentation of the existing rim structure increases strength through geometric configuration rather than through adding material, avoiding increased manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The folded rim structure utilizes three-dimensional geometric configuration to increase structural strength. By folding the rim back on itself, the structure gains dimensional complexity that translates to increased strength and stiffness without requiring additional material or complex manufacturing processes.
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 design ensures a reliable, leak-proof seal with reduced pressure on the seal, enhanced strength, and improved protection against damage, while allowing for pressurization or inert gas filling to further secure the container's tightness and reduce moisture ingress.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic seal (16) which, when the lid (12) is closed, is supported on a peripheral edge (18) of the container (10). The container (10) also has a lever latch (20) for closing the lid (12) while generating a pressure force that deforms the seal (16)
Implementation Method 2
the folded fold section forms a channel parallel to the course of the edge, so that moisture is collected in it and drained away without reaching the seal itself
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a closable container (10) having a lid (12), which comprises a peripheral channel (14) in which a resilient sealing (16) is arranged, wherein, when the lid (12) is closed, the sealing (16) is supported on a peripheral edge (18) of the container (10), and having a lever latch (20) for closing the lid (12) while generating a pressing force which deforms the sealing (16). Said container is characterized in that the edge (18) supporting the sealing (16) comprises a folded section (22) which is folded at least once towards the exterior of the container (10), which extends only over part of the height of the edge (18) and which forms a recessed area (24) forming a channel for removing humidity, when the edge (18) is in a substantially horizontal position.