Flexible Silicone Container Dual-Closure Sealing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing resealable bags and containers fail to maintain an airtight and watertight seal, especially when subjected to outward forces from food items, leading to unsealing or opening, and existing solutions like clips and mechanical-adhesive closures have drawbacks in maintaining the seal.
Innovation Solution
A flexible container made from food-grade silicone with interlocking teeth and a rail-and-groove closure system that provides a fluid-tight seal, where the first closure is a zipper-like mechanism and the second closure is a rail-and-groove configuration, ensuring the container remains sealed under pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a closure is designed to provide an airtight and watertight seal, then sealing reliability is improved, but the closure may fail to remain sealed under outward force from food items
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into two distinct closures: a first closure with interlocking teeth that provides mechanical strength and resistance to outward force, and a second closure with rail-and-groove configuration that provides the airtight and watertight seal. By segmenting the closure functions, the patent achieves both sealing reliability and strength without compromise.
2Reliability
If a clip is added to maintain sealing force, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding separate clips to maintain sealing force, the patent merges the sealing function and the force-resistance function into an integrated dual-closure system. The first closure's interlocking teeth and the second closure's rail-and-groove work together as a unified structure, eliminating the need for additional clips while maintaining both sealing reliability and simplicity.
3Reliability
If a mechanical-adhesive closure is used, then sealing reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system employs dynamic mechanical interlocking through the first closure's teeth that can be easily engaged and disengaged, combined with the second closure's rail that slides within the groove. This dynamic design allows for easy opening and closing operations while maintaining strong sealing reliability, avoiding the need for adhesive materials that would be difficult to remove.
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible container includes a first panel formed from a flexible elastomeric material and a second panel formed from the flexible elastomeric material which is preferably a food grade silicone. The panels join together to form the flexible container and define an interior volume. A first closure and a second closure are provided along an opening defined at a portion of a perimeter of the flexible container, in which the first closure includes mating interlocking teeth and the second closure includes a mating rail and groove.