Resealable Paint Container Lid with Inwardly Curled Rim

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing resealable container systems for paint and similar substances face issues such as sharp edges, rust formation, difficulty in resealing, increased complexity, and challenges in automation, particularly with lids having claws or ring assemblies, which lead to damage and inefficiency in manufacturing and usage.

Innovation Solution

A resealable container system featuring a metal lid with an inwardly curled rim that engages the container rim to form a seal, using a lever and hook opening tool to remove the lid without distortion, allowing for easy resealing and automation, and eliminating the need for additional components like rings or gaskets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a lid with multiple claws is used to seal the container, then the lid can be securely attached and removed, but the lid develops sharp edges that pose cutting hazards and increase rust formation risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelid sealing reliabilityVSAvoidcutting hazard and rust formation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is divided into two separate components: an inner lid that forms the seal with the container rim, and an outer lid that protects the inner lid during handling and storage. This segmentation allows the sealing surface to remain smooth and free of sharp edges, while the outer lid provides structural protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner lid acts as an intermediary component between the outer lid and the container rim. It provides the sealing function while being protected by the outer lid, eliminating the need for sharp edges on the sealing surface and reducing rust formation risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the lid claws are bent to release the lid for removal, then the lid can be easily taken off, but the claws become permanently distorted and the lid cannot be reused for resealing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelid removal easeVSAvoidresealing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lid system is segmented into an inner lid for sealing and an outer lid for protection and removal. The outer lid incorporates resilient clips that can be easily engaged and disengaged without permanent deformation, allowing repeated removal and resealing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clipping mechanism uses resilient clips with elastic properties that allow temporary deformation during engagement and disengagement. The clips return to their original shape after each operation, maintaining their functionality for repeated use and enabling reliable resealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a large number of claws are provided on the lid, then the lid can securely grip the container rim, but the manufacturing complexity and automation difficulty increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelid grip strengthVSAvoidlid structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is segmented into an inner lid with a simple sealing rim and an outer lid with integrated resilient clips. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing of each component while maintaining secure grip through the clip mechanism that engages with the container rim.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The outer lid merges multiple functions: it protects the inner lid, provides structural strength, and incorporates the clipping mechanism for secure attachment and easy removal. This consolidation reduces the total number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If the lid is designed with a simple single-piece construction, then the manufacturing is simpler and cost is reduced, but the lid cannot be easily removed and reused for resealing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelid manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidlid removal and resealing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is segmented into an inner lid for sealing and an outer lid for protection and removal operations. The inner lid can be简单地 manufactured with a minimal sealing rim, while the outer lid provides the mechanical advantage for easy removal and resealing through its resilient clip mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 provides a safe, rust-resistant, and efficient resealable solution that can be repeatedly used without damaging the lid or container, simplifying manufacturing and usage, and reducing material waste and complexity.

Implementation Method 1

the metal outer portion comprises a sealing portion adapted to engage with at least a portion of an upper surface of the container rim, when the lid is in the closed position to form a seal between the lid and container body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

the lid rim being arranged to engage and grip a portion of a lower surface of the container rim when the lid is in the closed position to hold the lid in place

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

the tool comprising a lever portion and a hook portion attached to the lever portion, the lever and hook portions being arranged such that the tool can be arranged in at least one opening position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Implementation Method 4

when an upper end of the lever portion is displaced radially inwards to rotate the lever portion about the pivot point or points, the hook portion is displaced radially outwards, thereby displacing the engaged portion of the lid rim radially outwards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 5

the hook portion hooks under and engages a portion of the lid rim

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHook: Hook

Data Source

PatentEP2578511B1Resealable container system for storing paint
Publication Date: 2015.05.27 COLEP PORTUGAL
  • EP2578511B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2578511B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2578511B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A resealable container system for storing paint comprises a container body (1) having an upper edge portion (13) outwardly curled over to form a container rim (14); a removable lid (2) comprising a metal outer portion (22) forming a sealing portion (23) engaging an upper surface of the container rim (14), and an outer wall portion (24) adapted to extend down past an outer edge of the container rim (14) by a lid edge portion, extending from a lower end of the outer wall portion and being inwardly curled over to form a lid rim (26), and an opening tool (3) for separating the lid (2) from the container body (1), comprising a lever portion (31)and a hook portion (32), in which the hook portion hooks under and engages the lid rim and the lever portion pivots against an external surface of the lid outer portion.