Sterile Container Closure With Undercut Locking and Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure mechanisms for sterile containers fail to provide stable, secure, and easy-to-open locking, while ensuring pressure equalization and tolerance compensation, and are prone to accidental opening.
Innovation Solution
A closure mechanism with a claw-like slider and compression spring, integrated with a return spring and blocking element, ensures stable locking by engaging with an undercut on the container tray or lid, allowing easy manual release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism with high locking force is used to secure the container lid to the tray, then the reliability of the seal is improved, but the mechanism becomes more complex and harder to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is extracted as a separate functional component from the main locking mechanism. It can be independently activated to prevent accidental opening, while the primary locking function remains simple through the undercut engagement of the locking element with the container tray or lid.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking system is segmented into distinct functional elements: the locking element for primary securing, the engagement element forming an undercut, and the blocking element for preventing accidental opening. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function with simple design.
2Reliability
If the locking mechanism is designed to be very secure against accidental opening, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates when opening is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is positioned to preliminarily prevent any opening action by blocking the path of the locking element. However, it is designed to be easily removable or movable when intentionally activated, allowing legitimate opening operations to proceed without resistance.
3Ease of manufacture
If the locking mechanism uses simple undercut engagement, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the stability of the locked position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement element forms an undercut with an asymmetric geometry that provides stable locking in the closed position. The undercut shape creates a mechanical interlock that resists opening forces while maintaining simple manufacturing through standard molding or machining processes.
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 mechanism securely locks the container lid to the tray, prevents accidental opening, compensates for manufacturing tolerances, and facilitates easy opening when intended, while maintaining a fluid-tight seal and pressure equalization.
Implementation Method 1
at least one compression spring element, which presses the slider/locking element increasingly away from the container lid
Implementation Method 2
at least one return spring, which preloads the blocking element into an initial position and/or which can be used to bring the blocking element back into the initial position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a closure mechanism for a sterile container comprising a container pan (10) and a container lid (2) that can be locked to the container pan (10) by means of the closure mechanism, the closure mechanism having a bar element (6) for undercut engagement with an engagement element (11) which is arranged on the container pan (10) or on the container lid (2) and which forms an undercut, the bar element (6) being positionable in a closed position, in which it is operatively engaged with the engagement element (11) via the undercut, and in a release position, in which the bar element (6) and the engagement element (11) are disengaged, the closure mechanism having a locking element (13, 24, 29, 31) which is or can be operatively connected to the bar element (6) and which is integrated into the closure mechanism in such a way that it blocks the closure mechanism when the closed position is reached. The invention also relates to a sterile container comprising such a closure mechanism.