Threadless Vertical Lid Sealing for One-Handed Thermal Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermal containers with threaded lids require cumbersome two-handed operation for opening and closing, leading to heat dissipation and poor thermal performance.

Innovation Solution

A threadless vertical lid-opening structure featuring a deformable elastic sealing element and a latch switch mechanism that allows single-handed operation, ensuring sealed engagement and disengagement through snap-fit mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a threaded structure is used for seal capping, then the lid can be tightly sealed to the container body, but the user needs to rotate the lid many times for opening and closing, leading to cumbersome operation and heat dissipation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidlid opening and closing operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional threaded mechanical fastening system with a snap-fit sealing system. The sealing element engages with the container body through vertical insertion and snap-fit connection, eliminating the need for rotational threading operations while maintaining tight sealing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of opening the lid by rotating it (traditional threaded mechanism), the patent inverts the operation to a vertical insertion and snap-fit mechanism. The lid is inserted vertically into the container body and locked through the snap-fit structure, completely changing the operational mode from rotational to linear movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If a threaded structure is used for seal capping, then the lid can be tightly sealed, but heat inside the thermal flask is easily dissipated during rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidheat dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the threaded mechanical fastening system with a snap-fit sealing system that eliminates rotational movement. This substitution prevents heat dissipation during the opening and closing process while maintaining effective sealing through the snap-fit connection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The snap-fit sealing mechanism allows for rapid insertion and locking of the lid without the prolonged rotational engagement required by threaded fasteners. This rushing through of the sealing action minimizes the time the lid is exposed and reduces heat loss during the operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Ease of operation

If a deformable elastic sealing element is used with snap-fit mechanism, then single-handed operation is enabled and heat loss is prevented, but the structure becomes more complex with multiple components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle-handed operationVSAvoidsealing device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a deformable elastic sealing element that can be compressed and deformed during the snap-fit process. This flexible sealing element enables single-handed operation by conforming to the container body geometry while maintaining effective sealing, and the complexity is localized only to this small component rather than the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 rapid, single-handed lid operation with improved thermal insulation by preventing heat loss and reducing the risk of accidental spillage.

Implementation Method 1

a deformable elastic sealing element sleeved on the base; when the base connected to the pulling shaft moves upward, the deformable elastic sealing element expands radially and bends outward to be snap-fitted with a snap-fit opening of an inner wall of the container body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a spring is sleeved on the pulling shaft, one end of the spring abuts against the base, and the other end thereof abuts against the guiding face to ensure flexible inflation and deflation of the deformable elastic sealing element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 3

a vacuum layer... a vacuum insulation layer delays heat dissipation of liquid such as water, thereby achieving the purpose of thermal insulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS12503274B1Threadless vertical lid-opening structure for containers

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 ZHEJIANG COOLESTS TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A container having a threadless vertical lid-opening comprises a container body and a lid body. A sealing device is arranged on the lid body, the lid body is sealably arranged on the container body through the sealing device, and the sealing device comprises a base and a deformable elastic sealing element sleeved on the base. The base is provided with a pulling shaft, the lid body is provided with a movable latch switch, the latch switch and the pulling shaft are connected through a rotating member, and the lid body is further provided with a limiting block. Vertical rotation of the movable latch switch enables to engage or disengage a container lid with the container body. The latch switch is arranged to control the lid opening and closing of the container, and snap-fitted engagement with the container body enables the lid closing.