Paper-Based Container Lid Sealing Channel Design for Leak Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paper-based container lids face challenges such as complex manufacturing processes, poor sealing performance, especially with hot liquids, and environmental concerns due to non-biodegradable materials, leading to leakage and inadequate consumer acceptance.

Innovation Solution

A paper-based container lid design featuring a sealing channel in the side wall with a polymer coating, a polymer-to-polymer bond connection between the side and top walls, and a flared skirt for enhanced sealing and stability, allowing for a snug fit with the container rim and improved leak resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If paper-based lids are used to replace plastic lids, then environmental friendliness is improved, but sealing performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidsealing performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lid combines paperboard material with a polymer coating layer to achieve both environmental friendliness and effective sealing. The paperboard provides biodegradability while the polymer coating creates a waterproof barrier and enables reliable sealing with the container rim, resolving the contradiction between environmental benefits and sealing performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the paperboard by applying a polymer coating, transforming it from a porous, non-sealing material into a waterproof, sealable structure. This parameter change allows paper-based lids to achieve plastic-level sealing performance while maintaining environmental advantages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If paperboard lids are manufactured using conventional processes, then production cost is reduced, but sealing quality deteriorates due to substantial crimps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidsealing ring quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer coating is applied to the paperboard lid before the sealing ring is formed during the molding process. This preliminary action protects the paperboard from the compressive forces that would otherwise create substantial crimps and gaps in the sealing ring, allowing conventional manufacturing processes to produce high-precision sealing surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The polymer coating acts as a protective cushion during the molding process, absorbing the compressive forces that would damage the paperboard structure. This beforehand cushioning prevents the formation of substantial crimps in the sealing ring, maintaining sealing quality while using cost-effective conventional manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If paper-based lids are used for hot beverages, then environmental benefits are achieved, but sealing performance deteriorates due to heat-related leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidleak resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The combination of heat-resistant polymer coating with paperboard creates a composite structure that can withstand hot beverage temperatures without compromising sealing integrity. The polymer layer maintains its sealing properties under heat stress while the paperboard provides structural support, enabling reliable use with hot liquids.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The polymer coating fundamentally changes the thermal and sealing parameters of the paperboard, making it resistant to heat-induced deformation and leakage. This parameter transformation allows the lid to maintain sealing performance across a wide temperature range, including hot beverages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design enables economic production, enhanced sealing performance, reduced leakage, and improved consumer acceptance by providing a secure and aesthetically pleasing lid that can handle hot liquids effectively.

Implementation Method 1

the side wall includes an inner surface which has a polymer coating; the top wall includes a lower surface and an upper surface, wherein the lower surface and the upper surface of the top wall each include a polymer coating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymer coating: Coatings

Implementation Method 2

the upper surface of the top wall is connected to the inner surface of the side wall by a polymer-to-polymer bond and the lower surface of the top wall is connected to the inner surface of the side wall by a polymer-to-polymer bond

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymer-to-polymer bond: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

A sealing channel is formed in the side wall between the first end and the second end

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing channel:

Data Source

PatentEP2888178B1Paper-based container lids
Publication Date: 2017.12.27 WESTROCK MWV LLC
  • EP2888178B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1D
  • EP2888178B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP2888178B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A paper-based container lid (10) comprises a top wall (11), a side wall (12) connecting to the top wall, and a sealing channel (17) formed on the side wall for sealingly engaging a rim of the container and securing the lid to the container, wherein the top wall and the side wall are preferably formed from separate blanks.