Re-closable Container Vacuum Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum-sealed containers are difficult for consumers to open due to high torque requirements, leading to 'spinning' issues with closure lugs, which can result in customer dissatisfaction and wastage, and increasing lug strength to solve this problem increases manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A re-closable container design featuring a single piece metal closure with venting passages created by discrete protrusions or indents on the sealing surface and corresponding features in the sealing compound, allowing the closure to twist off and on while breaking the vacuum seal, reducing lug strength and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lug strength is increased to prevent spinning, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating venting passages in the sealing compound before the closure is fully tightened. The protrusions are pre-formed in the sealing compound during the sealing process, so that when the closure is applied, these protrusions automatically create pathways for vacuum release. This prevents the need for overly strong lugs, as the vacuum is released before full engagement, eliminating the spinning problem without requiring increased lug strength or higher manufacturing costs.
2Reliability
If vacuum seal strength is increased to extend shelf-life, then product preservation is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The venting passages are created in advance during the sealing process, before the container needs to be opened. The protrusions in the sealing compound establish vacuum release pathways that remain dormant during storage but activate automatically upon opening attempts. This allows the vacuum seal to maintain full strength for shelf-life extension while providing a built-in mechanism that reduces opening torque by releasing vacuum pressure when the closure is removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of strong vacuum (which makes opening difficult) into a beneficial feature. The same vacuum that preserves the product during storage is automatically released when the closure is removed, due to the pre-formed venting passages. This transforms the opening difficulty caused by strong vacuum into a benefit, as the vacuum release aids in easier opening while maintaining preservation during storage.
3Reliability
If closure torque is increased to maintain vacuum seal, then sealing reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The venting passages are established in advance during the sealing process, creating a pressure release mechanism before the container is opened. The protrusions in the sealing compound are pre-formed to create pathways that will activate when the closure is removed. This allows the sealing to maintain high torque for integrity during storage, while the pre-established venting pathways reduce the torque needed for opening by releasing vacuum pressure.
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 reduces the torque required to open the container, minimizes the risk of 'spinning', and allows for resealing, while using less material and reducing manufacturing costs and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a partial vacuum exists within the packed container prior to first opening
Implementation Method 2
the torque required to overcome the frictional force of the screw thread
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A re-closable container comprising a container body (12), a single piece metal closure and a layer of sealing compound provided on an underside of the closure. The container body and the closure have first cooperating features (14) to allow the closure to be twisted onto and off of the container body. The layer of sealing compound and a sealing surface (18) of the container body which comes into contact with the sealing compound have second cooperating features (40) which establish one or more venting passages upon rotation of the closure from a closed position. The second cooperating features comprise one or more protrusions or indents in the sealing surface and one or more corresponding indents or protrusions on the sealing compound that are radially aligned with the one or more protrusions or indents in the sealing surface when the closure is in a closed position.