Mason Jar Adapter Lid with Gasket Seal and Pour Spout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Mason jar lids are cumbersome for sealing and accessing contents, as they require prolonged heating and cooling, expose contents to air leading to spoilage, and have a large mouth that makes pouring difficult.
Innovation Solution
A container adapter lid system comprising a gasket, adapter lid, and container band that forms a seal with the jar rim, allowing for easy attachment of accessories like pourers and aerators, and providing a secure, airtight closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional Mason jar lids are used for sealing, then the jar can be sealed, but the sealing process requires prolonged heating and cooling which is cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sealing mechanism from thermal processing (heating and cooling) to mechanical compression. The adapter lid system uses a screw band to apply mechanical pressure that compresses the gasket against the jar rim, creating a seal without requiring temperature changes. This parameter change from thermal to mechanical sealing resolves the time-consuming nature of conventional Mason jar sealing while maintaining seal reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal field system (heating and cooling) with a mechanical field system (screw band compression). The adapter lid assembly uses mechanical forces applied through the screw band to create and maintain the seal, substituting the complex thermal process with a simpler mechanical operation that is both faster and more controllable.
2Ease of operation
If conventional Mason jar lids are used, then the jar can be closed, but contents are exposed to air leading to spoilage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible gasket (thin film) that conformally seals against the jar rim. This flexible membrane creates an airtight barrier that prevents air from reaching the contents, while the simplicity of the adapter lid design maintains ease of operation. The gasket's flexibility allows it to adapt to the jar opening shape, ensuring complete air exclusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket appears to be a replaceable component that can be easily replaced if degraded. This disposable-like approach ensures that the sealing barrier remains intact and airtight, preventing air exposure and spoilage while keeping the system simple to operate and maintain.
3Ease of operation
If Mason jars have a large mouth for access, then contents can be accessed, but pouring becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the jar opening into two functional zones: the large jar mouth for easy access and the smaller adapter lid opening for controlled pouring. The adapter lid acts as an intermediate structure that maintains the benefits of the large opening for access while providing a controlled aperture for pouring, effectively dividing the single opening function into two distinct operational zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter lid serves as an intermediary between the large jar opening and the pouring operation. It mediates by providing a controlled opening that allows pouring while maintaining access ease, bridging the contradiction between large opening benefits and pouring control requirements.
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
Enhances the usability of Mason jars by simplifying the sealing process, reducing air exposure to prevent spoilage, and facilitating easy access and pouring of contents.
Implementation Method 1
The gasket may be shaped to attach to a rim of a container to form a seal between the rim and the gasket
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, apparatus, and/or device for an adapter lid of a container. The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include a planar wall extending along a horizontal plane, the planar wall being configured to attach to a gasket and extend along a rim of a container, where the planar wall includes an opening to provide a passage for the object to enter a cavity of the container. The method, system, apparatus, and/or device may include an opening wall configured to circumscribe the opening and extend from the horizontal plane to form a spout, where the adapter lid is configured to attach to the rim of the container in a normal orientation and attach to the rim of the container in a reverse orientation.