Valved Container Cover with Rotating Handle Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container lids fail to provide a sturdy, easy-to-operate, and air-tight seal when replacing the original lid, often allowing atmospheric air into the container, which can affect the product's flavor and shelf life, especially in containers with smooth straight interior walls.
Innovation Solution
A valved cover with a handle that attaches to a unitary rigid body, utilizing a lip seal and integral valve to create an air-tight seal, allowing air to escape during installation and automatically opening when the handle is rotated, ensuring the seal remains intact even when the product level changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple vent or valve is used to permit air escape during cover installation, then ease of operation is improved, but air-tight sealing is worsened allowing atmospheric air to enter the container
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented from the venting function by using a separate removable cover that interfaces with the container's integrated valve system. The cover contains a valve mechanism with movable components that separately control air flow paths, allowing independent optimization of sealing and venting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve incorporates movable components including a disc and spring mechanism that dynamically respond to pressure differentials. The disc moves between sealed and open positions based on internal vs external pressure, automatically controlling air flow without manual intervention while maintaining sealing integrity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a rigid seal is used to prevent air entry, then air-tight sealing is improved, but ease of operation is worsened making installation and removal difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing interface uses elastomeric material that changes its physical parameters (flexibility, compressibility) based on applied pressure. During installation, the material deforms to accommodate the container opening, then seals tightly when compressed, providing both ease of installation and effective sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve acts as an intermediary mechanism between the cover and container interior. It mediates the air flow control by providing a controlled passage that opens during installation/removal and closes during storage, reconciling the conflicting requirements of easy operation and tight sealing.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a complex valve mechanism is used to ensure air-tight sealing, then air-tight sealing is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism is self-actuating through pressure differential. The spring-loaded disc automatically opens when internal pressure exceeds external pressure (during installation) and closes when external pressure is greater (during storage), eliminating the need for complex control systems or manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism is integrated into the cover structure itself rather than being a separate component. The valve housing, disc, spring, and sealing elements are combined in a compact arrangement within the cover, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective air-tight sealing capability.
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 solution provides a simple, economical, and effective air-tight seal that prevents atmospheric air from entering the container, maintaining product freshness and shelf life, suitable for various contents like liquids, powders, or solids, and can be used with containers having smooth parallel side walls.
Implementation Method 1
a lip seal formed of an elastomeric material... utilizing a lip seal on its periphery to seal to the container wall
Implementation Method 2
The valve portion is open when the handle rotated into a vertical position and is closed when rotated flat
Data Source
AI summary
An internal cover (10) is used for enclosing the contents of a straight walled container (38) which consists of a disc shaped rigid body (20) having a recess (22) in the top surface creating a depression with an outside rim (24) extending around the edge and at least one valve air vent opening (30) within the recess. The body also has a circumferential groove (26) with a lip seal (36) disposed within the groove for sealing the cover to a container's side walls. A bail handle (40) is rotatably affixed within the body recess and has least one valve bore (44) therethrough covering at least one air vent opening forming a valve. When the handle is rotated to a vertical position an air flow path is created permitting the cover to be inserted into a container. When the cover is resting on top of the contents the valve is sealed by rotating the handle to a horizontal position.