Metal Container Lid with Flexible Sheet for Pressure Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metal containers for powder products under pressure, such as ground coffee, face the issue of gas flow entraining coffee powder when the package is opened, leading to the escape of the product.
Innovation Solution
A metal container design featuring a cylindrical hollow body with a lid composed of an annular band of metal and a flexible sheet secured by thermowelding, where a bent-over tab is used to detach the sheet, allowing gas escape while preventing powder escape through a small hole at the glue spot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the package is opened under pressure to release internal gas, then the aroma can be sensed, but the coffee powder escapes with the gas flow
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is segmented into two functional parts: a flexible sheet with a small hole for controlled gas escape, and an annular band for structural support and sealing. This segmentation allows the gas venting function to be separated from the powder containment function, enabling aroma release while preventing coffee powder escape through the coordinated action of these segments
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible sheet acts as an intermediary element between the pressurized coffee powder and the external environment. It allows gas to pass through its small hole while its deformation and sealing properties prevent coffee powder from escaping, serving as a mediator that selectively permits gas flow while blocking particle flow
2Loss of substance
If a conventional seal is used to retain powder, then the product is contained, but the internal pressure cannot be released during opening
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system exhibits local quality variations: the flexible sheet provides a tight seal against the container wall to contain pressure, while the small hole in the sheet creates a localized controlled escape path for gas. The annular band provides structural support and sealing at its interface with the container. This local differentiation of sealing and venting functions resolves the contradiction between pressure retention and pressure release
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
Enables controlled lid opening to release internal pressure without allowing the powder product to escape, maintaining the product inside while allowing the pleasant aroma to be sensed during opening.
Implementation Method 1
a thin sheet 10 of flexible material, preferably plastic or metal, is secured by thermowelding
Implementation Method 2
a bent-over tab 12 glued to the sheet by a glue spot 20
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A metal container consisting of a lateral wall (2) defining a hollow body, to the upper and lower end edges of which there are secured. by seam-joining, a base (4) and a lid (6) consisting of a metal annular band (8) to the inner edge of which a flexible sheet (10) is secured, extending into a tab (12) bent to face the sheet, characterised in that said lid (6) comprises at least one hole (14, 16, 18) provided in the metal annular band (8), and is maintained closed by the sheet (10) when the container is in the closed configuration and is brought into the open configuration by operating the tab (12) such as to detach the sheet (10) from the annular band (8).