Resilient Cap Assembly for Freeze-Driven Container Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container sealing technologies do not effectively accommodate volume changes due to temperature variations, particularly the expansion caused by freezing, leading to potential damage or spoilage of contents.

Innovation Solution

A cap assembly with a resilient member that can reversibly expand and contract to accommodate volume changes, featuring a pre-loaded state that reduces internal pressure and allows the resilient member to move between planar and convex positions to seal the container.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid cap structure is used to maintain seal integrity, then sealing reliability is improved, but the cap cannot accommodate volume changes due to freezing expansion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal integrityVSAvoidaccommodation of volume changes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cap structure incorporates a resilient member that can dynamically change its shape and volume in response to internal pressure changes. The resilient member transitions from a compressed state during sealing to an expanded state when contents freeze, maintaining seal integrity while accommodating volume changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient member functions as a flexible element within the cap assembly, allowing the cap to adapt its internal volume. This flexible component can expand and contract reversibly, enabling the rigid cap structure to accommodate freezing expansion without compromising seal reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the resilient member is pre-loaded to reduce internal pressure, then damage from freezing expansion is prevented, but the sealing force may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage from freezingVSAvoidsealing force

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient member is pre-loaded in a compressed state before sealing, which reduces internal pressure and prepares the structure to accommodate expansion. This preliminary compression ensures that when sealing occurs, the resilient member can transition smoothly to its expanded freezing state without causing damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient member undergoes parameter changes in its mechanical state, transitioning from a pre-compressed state during sealing to an expanded state during freezing. This parameter change allows the same component to provide both sealing force and protection against freezing expansion damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the cap structure is made complex to accommodate freezing expansion, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of volume changesVSAvoidcap structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient member serves as a simple yet effective flexible element that provides volume accommodation without requiring complex mechanisms. This single component handles both sealing and freezing expansion protection, maintaining structural simplicity while achieving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient member performs multiple functions within the cap assembly: it provides sealing force when compressed and accommodates freezing expansion when allowed to expand. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by consolidating multiple requirements into a single component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 cap assembly effectively manages volume changes due to freezing, preventing damage to the container and maintaining a secure seal, while allowing for flexible expansion and contraction to adapt to varying internal pressures.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient member coupled to and spanning the aperture of the cap, the resilient member being configured to both seal the container and reversibly expand

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

accommodate volume changes due to temperature variations, particularly the expansion caused by freezing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS12459706B2Cap assembly, a container comprising the same, and apparatus for and method of sealing a container

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 POLAR CAPS LTD

AI summary

There is provided a cap assembly for a container according to one aspect. The assembly includes a cap shaped to selectively couple to a container. The cap has an aperture extending through a top thereof. The assembly includes a resilient member coupled to and spanning the aperture of the cap. The resilient member is configured to both seal the container and reversibly expand. The resilient member has a pre-loaded state in which the resilient member is outwardly concave. The resilient member is moveable from the pre-loaded state to an expanded state in which the resilient member is planar or outwardly convex.