Handle-Latched Container Lid Sealing for Tolerance Variation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container sealing arrangements are inconvenient to operate and require high manufacturing accuracy, which is challenging with ceramic materials, and often compromise due to contamination and seal wear, especially in applications like toilet bowls where pneumatic waste transport is advantageous.

Innovation Solution

A container with a locking arrangement featuring a handle that secures the lid via a latching clip system, allowing easy operation and sealing without the need for precise manufacturing tolerances, using flexible seals and a self-adjusting mechanism that tolerates material and dimensional variations, and avoids contamination contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional sealing arrangement is used, then the lid can be sealed to the body, but the operation becomes difficult and inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking arrangement uses a dynamic latching mechanism where the clip can move between locked and unlocked states. The spring-loaded clip automatically engages with the body when the lid is closed and can be released by lifting the handle, providing easy operation without complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The latching clip is designed to automatically engage and lock when the lid is closed, requiring no manual intervention. The spring mechanism self-activates to secure the lid, and the handle provides a simple release mechanism, making the system self-servicing and easy to operate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If high manufacturing accuracy is required for sealing, then the seal effectiveness is improved, but it becomes challenging with ceramic materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing precisionVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing mechanism uses a flexible seal that can deform to accommodate dimensional variations in ceramic materials. The spring-loaded clip applies variable force to maintain effective sealing despite manufacturing tolerances, changing the physical state from rigid to flexible sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing arrangement incorporates a flexible seal element that can conform to the body surface despite dimensional variations. This flexible membrane compensates for manufacturing tolerances in ceramic materials, maintaining effective sealing without requiring high precision manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If traditional sealing mechanisms are used, then sealing can be achieved, but contamination and seal wear compromise reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking and sealing functions are separated into distinct components: the latching clip handles mechanical locking while the flexible seal handles sealing. This separation allows the seal to be optimized for contamination resistance and the clip for reliable mechanical engagement, improving overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible seal is designed as a replaceable component that can be easily replaced when worn or contaminated. This disposable seal approach maintains reliability by allowing quick replacement of the contamination-prone element without replacing the entire locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Shape

If fixing holes and protruding latching pins are used, then the lid can be secured, but the body surface finish is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody surface finishVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The latching clip is designed to nest within recesses in both the lid and body, with the handle fitting around the periphery of the lid. This nested arrangement allows the locking mechanism to be integrated into the surfaces without protruding elements, maintaining smooth body surface finish.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism transitions from a two-dimensional surface-mounted approach to a three-dimensional nested arrangement. The clip engages from the side and the handle wraps around the lid periphery, allowing the mechanism to be embedded within the overall form rather than interrupting the surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS8176576B2Container

Publication Date: 2012.05.15 PHOENIX PROD DEV

AI summary

A container comprising a body (1), a lid (5) for the body (1), and a locking arrangement for securing the lid (5) to the body (1): the locking arrangement comprising a handle (23) which fits around at least a part of the periphery of the lid (5), and at least one locking device which connects the handle (23) to the lid (5) such that the lid (5) is movable by the handle (23), which is such that the locking device locks when the handle (23) is lowered with respect to the lid (5), and which is such that the lifting of the handle (23) away from the lid (5) causes the locking device (4) to unlock.