Removable Seal-Retaining Lid Structure for Cleanable Bottle Closures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lids for liquid containers, particularly beverage bottles, face issues with inadequate cleanability of seals leading to mold and deposit formation, and unreliable sealing over time, which can result in liquid leakage.
Innovation Solution
A lid design featuring a seal-retaining element with a projection forming an undercut to securely hold a partially elastically deformable sealing element, allowing easy removal and separate cleaning, ensuring a reliable seal through a detachable threaded connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sealing element is permanently fixed in the lid element, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the cleanability deteriorates because the seal cannot be removed for thorough cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed with elastic properties allowing it to dynamically change state between retained (for sealing) and removable (for cleaning). The projection provides a retention mechanism that holds the sealing element in place during use, while the elastic nature of the sealing element allows it to be deliberately removed by overcoming the retention force, enabling both reliable sealing and easy cleanability.
2Ease of operation
If the sealing element is easily removable from the lid element, then the cleanability is improved, but the sealing reliability deteriorates because the seal may fall out unintentionally
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mechanism is localized to specific features (projections extending radially outward from the seal-retaining element) that engage with corresponding features on the sealing element. This localized retention provides secure holding during normal use while allowing deliberate removal when needed for cleaning, resolving the contradiction between easy removal and secure retention.
3Reliability
If the seal-retaining element has a complex retention mechanism, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases making cleaning more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is segmented into distinct components: the lid element, the seal-retaining element with projection, and the separable sealing element. This segmentation allows the sealing element to be removed for cleaning while the lid element and seal-retaining element remain as simple, easy-to-clean components. The retention mechanism is simplified to a basic projection feature rather than a complex assembly.
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 ensures secure sealing without unintentional loss of the sealing element, facilitates thorough cleaning, and prevents mold and deposit formation, providing a reliable sealing effect over time.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing element (40) which is at least partially elastically deformable and has a retaining section that extends in radial direction inward, wherein the sealing element is positionable in a sealing position in which the sealing element is arranged within the lid element and the sealing element is retained within the lid element by the projection of the seal-retaining element, wherein the sealing element is removable from the lid element by elastic deformation of the sealing element
Data Source
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, on an inner side of the lid element, a lid thread (24) for a threaded connection with a container thread (2c) of a liquid container (2). A seal-retaining element (30) connected to the lid element (20) is provided. The seal-retaining element (30) has a projection (31) which extends in radial direction (R) outward from an outer circumference of the seal-retaining element (30). The projection (31) is arranged and configured such that an undercut (60) formed by the projection (31) is formed between the projection (31) and the lid element (20) for retaining a sealing element (40). A sealing element (40) is also provided, which is at least partially elastically deformable and has a retaining section (48) that extends in radial direction (R) inward. The sealing element (40) is positionable in a sealing position in which the sealing element (40) is arranged within the lid element (20) and the sealing element (40) is retained within the lid element (20) by the projection (31) of the seal-retaining element (30). The sealing element (40) is removable from the lid element (20) by elastic deformation of the sealing element (40).