Multi-Component Interlocking Closure Unit for Air-Tight Food Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional food storage containers often fail to maintain an effective air-tight seal, leading to reduced freshness and spoilage of stored food.
Innovation Solution
An air-tight storage container system featuring a closure unit with interlocking components, including a handle member, flexible deformable gasket, snap inner piece, and bottom member, which creates a secure seal when positioned and rotated atop the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional lid is screwed or snapped onto the container, then the container can be easily closed, but the air-tight seal is not effective
Solution Approach 1:
The closure unit is divided into multiple interlocking components: a base section, a handle section, a snap inner piece, and a gasket member. Each component performs a specific function, and their segmented design allows for easier manufacturing and assembly while achieving the air-tight seal objective.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure components are designed to nest within each other during assembly. The snap inner piece fits within the handle section, the gasket member is positioned within the base section, and all components interlock to form the complete closure unit, which then nests onto the container opening.
2Reliability
If a simple lid design is used, then the device complexity is low, but the seal reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single closure unit assembly. The sealing function (gasket member), the locking function (snap inner piece), and the handling function (handle section) are all combined in one integrated unit that operates as a single assembly, simplifying the user interaction while maintaining reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure unit incorporates self-aligning and self-sealing features. The interlocking components automatically position themselves correctly during assembly, and the gasket member automatically conforms to the container opening shape, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment by the user.
3Reliability
If a multi-component closure unit is used, then the air-tight seal is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closure unit is segmented into distinct components that can be manufactured separately using standard molding techniques, then assembled through simple interlocking mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific manufacturing process while maintaining ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking features and mounting mechanisms are designed with universal applicability, allowing the same basic connection methods to be used across different component pairs. This standardization of connection methods simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces the need for specialized assembly procedures.
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 system effectively maintains an air-tight seal, enhancing food freshness by preventing air and moisture from entering the container, thus extending the shelf life of stored food.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible deformable gasket member... When these closure unit components are interconnected and the closure unit itself is positioned atop the container, the closure unit is pushed and rotated, held within the container to establish an air-tight seal
Data Source
AI summary
An air-tight storage container system has a container having an open top and a container closure unit configured to be placed over the top. The closure unit has a series of stacked, interlocking components, including a handle member, a flexible deformable gasket member, a snap inner piece, and a bottom member. When these closure unit components are interconnected and the closure unit itself is positioned atop the container, the closure unit is pushed and rotated, held within the container to establish an air-tight seal within the container.