Peelable Membrane Sealant Variable Thickness Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Containers with peelable membrane closures are not adequately resistant to the internal overpressure during sterilization processes, and they require excessive peeling efforts to open, failing to balance sealing strength and ease of opening.
Innovation Solution
The sealant layer on the joining surface between the peelable membrane and the ring has a variable thickness, increasing from the outer border to the inner border, enhancing internal pressure resistance while reducing the peel force, allowing for easier membrane removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sealant layer has constant thickness, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the container cannot resist internal overpressure during sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The sealant layer is designed with variable thickness across its width, being thicker at the inner border and thinner at the outer border. This local variation in thickness provides enhanced resistance to internal overpressure during sterilization at the critical inner region while maintaining ease of peeling at the outer region, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
2Reliability
If the sealant layer is made thick to resist internal pressure, then sealing strength is improved, but the peeling effort required becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The sealant layer thickness is locally optimized: thicker at the inner border to provide sealing strength against internal pressure, and thinner at the outer border to reduce peeling effort. This spatial variation allows the same sealant layer to simultaneously provide strong sealing and easy opening functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealant layer is functionally segmented into two distinct zones with different thickness characteristics - an inner zone for pressure resistance and an outer zone for peeling facilitation. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
3Strength
If the sealant layer thickness is increased to improve pressure resistance, then the membrane becomes harder to peel, but the contradiction shows this trade-off must be balanced
Solution Approach 1:
The sealant layer exhibits local quality variation where the inner border region has greater thickness for pressure resistance, while the outer border region has reduced thickness for lower peel force. This localized differentiation allows the sealant layer to provide high pressure resistance without requiring excessive peeling force throughout the entire structure.
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
This design improves the container's resistance to differential pressure during sterilization and simplifies the peeling process by optimizing the mechanical properties of the sealant layer, ensuring effective sealing and easy opening.
Implementation Method 1
The peelable membrane is joined by heat sealing with the ring of lid by means of adapted jaws.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns a container lid comprising a ring (2) defining an opening (6), said opening (6) being closed by a membrane (7) of "peelable" type, which peelable membrane (7) is joined to a peripheral surface (L) of said ring (2), said joining surface (L) being delimited by an inner border (Li) and an outer border (Lo), by means of a layer of matter (16) known as sealant layer constituting a surface coating layer of said ring (2) and / or said peelable membrane (7). According to the invention, on at least a part of the circumference of said joining surface (L), the thickness of the sealant layer (16) is variable in the radial direction, that is to say on its width, forming a width of variable thickness, this thickness increasing on at least a part of the width of said joining surface (L), in the direction from its outer border (Lo) towards its inner border (Li).