Opening Lid with Protrusion Zones and Depressurization for Clean Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container lids for pharmaceutical solid preparations require multiple robots for automated opening and closing, leading to high costs and manual intervention, and are not fully automated for cleaning, with metal components increasing costs and complicating cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
An opening and closing member with a rubber lid featuring a top surface portion, grip portion, and depressurization path, including protrusions and flat regions to facilitate easy cleaning and automated operation, and a depressurization mechanism for maintaining internal pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a two-part configuration of metal lid and resin tube seal is used for automated opening and closing, then automation is achieved, but disassembly is required for cleaning and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the lid body and seal into a single integrated resin lid structure. The lid includes an integrally formed reservoir receiving portion and seal portion, eliminating the need for disassembly between metal lid and resin tube seal components. This unified structure allows the entire lid to be removed and cleaned as one piece, achieving both automation and ease of cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive metal lid components with a disposable resin lid that can be easily cleaned or replaced. The resin lid is designed to be cost-effective and can be subjected to automated cleaning processes without requiring complex disassembly or special handling of metal parts.
2Reliability
If protrusions are provided to seal the opening edge, then sealing is improved, but cleaning liquid accumulates in the regions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different surface characteristics to different regions of the lid. The seal portion has protrusions for reliable sealing contact with the opening edge, while the reservoir receiving portion has a smooth, inclined surface that prevents liquid accumulation and facilitates drainage. This local differentiation of surface properties achieves both sealing reliability and ease of cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire lid surface protruding for sealing, the invention inverts the approach by providing protrusions only where needed for sealing (at the seal portion) and making the majority of the lid surface (reservoir receiving portion) smooth and inclined for drainage. This reverses the conventional approach of uniform surface treatment.
3Ease of operation
If multiple robots are used for automated opening and closing, then labor saving is achieved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The resin lid is designed to perform multiple functions with a single structure: it provides sealing through the seal portion, contains the reservoir for cleaning liquid, and enables automated handling through its unified design. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized components and robots, reducing overall system cost while maintaining automation.
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 cost-effective, automated opening and closing of containers with improved cleaning efficiency by preventing liquid accumulation and simplifying the cleaning process, while reducing the need for manual labor and metal components.
Implementation Method 1
a depressurization path that penetrates into a tubular space formed in the grip portion and is attached to the grip portion, and depressurizes the space
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(c)
AI summary
An opening and closing member includes a top surface portion that covers an opening in a closed state where the opening is closed, a grip portion that extends to an outer edge of the top surface portion and grips an outer periphery of an opening end of a container main body in the closed state, and a depressurization path that penetrates into a tubular space formed in the grip portion and is attached to the grip portion, and depressurizes the space. The top surface portion has an inner surface facing an inside of the container main body in the closed state where the opening is closed. The inner surface includes an annular inner surface annular region extending along an inner periphery of the opening end of the container main body. The inner surface annular region includes a protruding region portion provided with a plurality of protrusions protruding from the inner surface, and a flat region portion where the protrusion is not provided.