Non-Circular Curved Liquid Container Cap for Hermetic Seal Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid containers fail to provide a secure and easily breakable hermetic seal, especially when used for sensitive materials like dental adhesives or cements, which require protection from atmosphere and light while allowing for easy opening.

Innovation Solution

A liquid container design featuring a base and cap with complementary non-circular curved surfaces that form a hermetic seal, allowing axial rotation of the cap to break the seal by lifting the cap over the base's upper end, ensuring secure closure and easy opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional hermetic seal is used, then the seal provides secure closure, but it is difficult to break open

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehermetic seal securityVSAvoiddifficulty to open
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cap and base feature complementary non-circular cross-sections (e.g., square, rectangular, or other polygonal shapes) that provide asymmetric engagement. This asymmetric geometry creates a secure hermetic seal during normal use while allowing the seal to be broken by rotating the cap axially, as the rotation causes the non-circular portions to disengage from each other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If the cap is tightly fitted to the base, then the hermetic seal is secure, but the cap cannot be easily removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehermetic seal integrityVSAvoidease of opening
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing mechanism transitions from a static tight fit to a dynamic opening action. The cap is designed to be rotated axially relative to the base, transforming the sealing state from engaged to disengaged through rotational motion. This dynamic mechanism allows the cap to remain securely fitted during storage while enabling easy opening through simple rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the cap structure is simple for easy opening, then ease of operation is improved, but the hermetic seal security is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of openingVSAvoidhermetic seal security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges two functions into a single cap structure: (1) forming a hermetic seal with the base through engagement of the non-circular portions, and (2) providing a manual rotation mechanism for opening. The handle or finger grip integrated into the cap combines the sealing function with the opening function, allowing secure closure and easy rotation-based opening without requiring separate mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2545878B1Liquid container
Publication Date: 2017.08.30 SDI LTD
  • EP2545878B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2545878B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c
  • EP2545878B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

A liquid container (10) has a base (12) and a cap (14) which interengage to form a hermetically sealed chamber (42). The cap (14) has a curved outer wall (18) and the base has a curved inner wall (36). The outer and inner walls (18, 36) have perspective non-circular portions and are of complementary shape. The cap (14) is able to be rotated axially relative to the base (12) by means of a handle (24) so that the outer and inner curved walls (18, 36) interact such that the cap (14) is released from the base (12) upon axial rotation thereof and the hermetic seal is broken.