Removable Lid Seal Structure for Cleanable Liquid Container Closures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lids for liquid containers, particularly beverage bottles, face issues with inadequate cleaning of seals leading to mold and deposit formation and unreliable sealing over time, resulting in potential leakage.

Innovation Solution

A lid design featuring a lid element with a sealing retaining element and an elastically deformable sealing element, where the sealing element is held by a projection and can be easily removed for thorough cleaning, ensuring a secure and reliable seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sealing element is securely held in the lid element by a projection, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the cleaning accessibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidcleaning accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is designed as a separate, removable component from the lid element. This segmentation allows the sealing element to be easily detached for cleaning while maintaining its secure positioning during use through the projection-retaining section engagement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element incorporates elastic deformability, allowing it to dynamically change shape during removal and reinstallation. The elastic retaining section can deform to pass over the projection during cleaning maintenance, then return to its original shape to securely engage with the projection during sealing operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the sealing element is made elastically deformable for easy removal, then the ease of operation is improved, but the sealing effectiveness may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremoval easeVSAvoidsealing effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element's material properties are carefully selected to provide specific elastic characteristics. The elastic modulus and deformability parameters are optimized so the element can be removed by controlled deformation but maintains sufficient rigidity when engaged to provide effective sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element transitions between two states: a flexible state during removal/installation where elastic deformation enables easy manipulation, and a rigid state during sealing where the engaged configuration provides stable, effective sealing contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the projection extends radially outwards to hold the sealing element, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The projection serving the sealing retention function is merged with the sealing retaining element structure. This integration means the projection is not an additional separate component but rather a feature of the existing retaining element, thereby providing the needed retention function without increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 allows for easy cleaning of the sealing element, preventing mold and deposits while maintaining a reliable sealing effect, ensuring the lid remains functional over time.

Implementation Method 1

the sealing element can be removed from the cover element by means of elastic deformation of the sealing element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4686668A2Lid for closing a liquid container
Publication Date: 2026.02.04 WATERDROP MICRODRINK GMBH
  • EP4686668A2 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP4686668A2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4686668A2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a lid (1) for closing a liquid container (2). The lid (1) comprises a lid element (20) which has a lid thread (24) on its inner side for a threaded connection with a container thread (2c) of a liquid container (2). A sealing retaining element (30) is provided, which is connected to the lid element (20). The sealing retaining element (30) has a projection (31) which extends outwards in a radial direction (R) from an outer circumference of the sealing retaining element (30). The projection (31) is arranged and designed such that an undercut (60) formed by the projection (31) is created between the projection (31) and the lid element (20) for holding a sealing element (40).Furthermore, a sealing element (40) is provided which is elastically deformable, at least in sections, and has a retaining section (48) that extends inwards in the radial direction (R). The sealing element (40) can be arranged in a sealing position in which it is located inside the cover element (20) and is held within the cover element (20) by means of the projection (31) of the sealing retaining element (30). The sealing element (40) can be removed from the cover element (20) by means of elastic deformation of the sealing element (40).