Rigid Plastic Lid With Elastic Rim For Reusable Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container designs with retaining members for a leaktight seal are difficult to remove and require a thin or flexible lid, compromising the seal when reused.
Innovation Solution
A container with a lid featuring a lower support wall and non-circular geometries for retaining members, where the lower annular edge is elastically deformed to facilitate lid removal without compromising the seal, and stiffening elements enhance the seal and ease of cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If retaining elements are arranged within the lower annular rim of the lid to engage under the outer annular lateral rim of the container, then a tight seal is provided between the lid and container, but the lid becomes difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The lower annular rim is designed with non-uniform wall thickness, creating regions of different stiffness. The thinner regions allow easy deformation for lid removal, while the thicker regions maintain structural integrity and sealing. This local variation in quality resolves the contradiction between tight sealing and easy removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid transition from static to dynamic state during removal. The flexible regions of the lower annular rim allow dynamic deformation when force is applied, enabling the retaining elements to clear the retaining thresholds. This dynamic behavior facilitates easy removal while maintaining the static sealing function when closed.
2Ease of operation
If the lower annular rim of the lid is made thin or flexible to allow easy removal, then the lid can be removed for reuse, but the sealing capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the lower annular rim have different wall thicknesses. The thinner regions provide flexibility for easy removal, while the thicker regions provide rigidity for maintaining the seal. This spatial variation in quality allows both easy removal and reliable sealing to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower annular rim functions as a composite structure with varying thickness, combining flexible and rigid characteristics in different zones. This composite design allows the rim to exhibit both flexible behavior during removal and rigid behavior during sealing, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and sealing reliability.
3Reliability
If retaining elements are positioned close to the upper edge of the container, then a secure seal is achieved, but the lid becomes difficult to grasp and remove
Solution Approach 1:
The lower annular rim is segmented into functional zones: retaining regions close to the container edge for sealing, and grasping regions with adequate thickness further from the edge for user interaction. This segmentation allows the retaining elements to be positioned for secure sealing while providing separate zones for easy grasping and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the grasping function to a different spatial dimension - the lower outer surface of the annular rim, away from the retaining elements. This dimensional separation allows retaining elements to be close to the container edge for sealing while providing accessible grasping surfaces for removal.
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
Enables easy removal and resealing of the lid while maintaining a secure seal, suitable for reusable containers, particularly for food preparations like yogurts, using materials like rigid plastic and glass.
Implementation Method 1
the lower annular edge is elastically deformed in bending on either side of the retaining devices
Implementation Method 2
the lower annular edge is elastically deformed in bending on either side of the retaining devices, the rounded edges forming stiffening elements
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The container has a lid (2) including a lower support wall (20) surrounded by a lower annular edge (21), where the lid is made of a rigid plastic material. Holding units (30) are arranged at an interior of the lower annular edge. The holding units are supported against an exterior annular side edge (11) beyond holding sills (40) when the lid is fixed on a vessel (1) e.g. individual yogurt pot, where the vessel is made of glass. The lower annular edge is inclined towards an interior of the lid with respect to an exterior edge of the lid.