Plastic Container Lid Finned Crown Segmented Beads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plastic container and lid assemblies with snap engaging systems face issues of high closing force requirements, deformation leading to accidental opening, and potential loss of contents due to parallel engaging forces and lack of mechanical resistance during impacts.
Innovation Solution
A container and lid assembly with a finned crown on the lid featuring elastically flexible hinges and side-by-side tabs that engage with annular beads on the container, providing multiple hooking points and seal chambers for enhanced mechanical resistance and hermetic sealing, reducing the closing force needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If tough engaging annular locking beads are used between container and lid skirts, then good seal and mechanical resistance are obtained, but great closing force is required that deforms the lid and compromises hermetic seal
Solution Approach 1:
The single annular locking bead is segmented into multiple discrete locking beads arranged around the perimeter. This segmentation distributes the closing force across multiple engagement points rather than concentrating it at a single location, reducing the force required at each point while maintaining overall mechanical resistance and seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a single-plane annular bead engagement to a multi-dimensional system with locking beads positioned at different heights and locations. This creates engagement forces in multiple directions (radial, axial, and tangential components), improving mechanical resistance while reducing the net closing force required.
2Reliability
If single annular locking beads are used, then sealing is achieved, but engaging forces are directed parallel to longitudinal axis that may cause lid detachment during falls
Solution Approach 1:
The locking beads are positioned asymmetrically at different heights and angular locations around the container perimeter rather than uniformly. This asymmetric arrangement creates engagement forces in multiple orientations, including radial and tangential components, that prevent lid detachment during falls while maintaining seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism extends into the vertical dimension with beads at different heights, creating three-dimensional engagement. This multi-dimensional arrangement provides resistance to forces from multiple directions, including impacts during falls, while maintaining the hermetic seal through the peripheral engagement of these multi-level beads.
3Strength
If lid is moulded with great thicknesses to limit deformation, then mechanical resistance is improved, but plastic material consumption increases and production costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing overall lid thickness, the structural reinforcement is segmented into discrete locking beads positioned at critical engagement points. This localized reinforcement provides the necessary mechanical resistance and stiffness without requiring uniform thickening of the entire lid, thereby reducing plastic material consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid structure transitions from uniform thickness to non-uniform thickness with localized reinforcement at the locking bead positions. This local quality enhancement provides the necessary mechanical strength and resistance to deformation only where needed for engagement, while maintaining thinner sections elsewhere to minimize material consumption.
4Strength
If multiple snap engaging beads are used, then mechanical resistance and sealing are improved, but closing force requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple snap engaging beads are segmented and positioned at different heights and locations, allowing them to engage in a sequential or progressive manner during closure. This segmentation enables the closing force to be distributed over time and space, improving mechanical resistance while maintaining ease of operation through progressive engagement rather than simultaneous engagement of all beads.
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
Facilitates easier closure with lower force requirements, enhances mechanical resistance and hermetic sealing, preventing accidental opening and content loss even under impact or deformation.
Implementation Method 1
each hooking tab being connected to the peripheral rim of the skirt of the lid by an elastically flexible hinge
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
An assembly of a container (10) and a lid (13) of plastic material, in which the container (10) and the lid (13) are provided with a respective outer skirt (15, 28) having snap engaging annular locking beads (16, 17; 30, 32) for the lid (13), configured with seal surfaces. The outer skirt (28) of the lid (13) is provided with a hooking crown (40) having a plurality of outwardly facing tabs (41), side by side arranged and separated by transverse slits (42); each tab (41) is connected to a lower rim of the skirt (28) of the lid (13), by an elastically flexible hinge (42) to allow, in the assembled condition of the lid (13) and of the container (10), the hooking crown (40) to be introduced into an upwardly facing channel (18) of the skirt (15) of the container (10), and the hooking with an annular bead (20).