Ventilation Grooves for Beverage Container Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drinking attachments, particularly those with wide opening rims, face challenges in achieving effective ventilation while preventing liquid leakage, as manufacturing costs are high and the functionality of ventilation channels is compromised by varying tightening torques and tolerances.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates two part-circular ventilation grooves on the underside of the annular flange, connected by inlet and outlet grooves, which maintain a defined length and cross-section to ensure consistent ventilation and prevent liquid leakage, utilizing interfacial tension to prevent liquid flow through the grooves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If radial grooves are made short in the sealing surface, then sealing against fluid leakage is improved, but ventilation function is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system is segmented into multiple independent radial grooves distributed around the annular flange. Each groove acts as an independent ventilation channel, allowing air to enter through multiple paths while maintaining sealing integrity. This segmentation enables adequate ventilation without requiring long continuous grooves that would compromise sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove geometry is optimized with specific dimensional parameters (width between 0.1-1.0mm, depth between 0.1-1.0mm) to create different local qualities for ventilation versus sealing. The grooves are positioned and dimensioned to provide sufficient air flow paths while their limited length and cross-section prevent liquid leakage through capillary effects.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the screw ring is screwed on tightly, then sealing is improved, but ventilation is reduced due to compression of grooves
Solution Approach 1:
The radial grooves are pre-formed with sufficient cross-sectional area and strategic positioning before assembly. This preliminary design ensures that even when the screw ring is tightened to achieve sealing, the grooves retain enough open area to maintain ventilation function. The grooves are designed to withstand compression while preserving air flow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system accepts and adapts to the dynamic compression state when the screw ring is tightened. The grooves are designed to deform elastically under compression while maintaining functional cross-sections for air flow. The design accommodates the changing geometry under different tightening forces without losing ventilation capability.
3Reliability
If the screw ring is screwed on loosely, then ventilation is improved, but sealing is compromised leading to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple radial grooves are distributed around the annular flange, creating redundant ventilation paths. If one groove is compromised or blocked, others continue to provide ventilation. This redundancy allows the system to maintain ventilation function even when the screw ring is loosely fitted, while the collective sealing effect of multiple groove positions prevents liquid leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove dimensions (width, depth, length) and positioning parameters are optimized to create a system where ventilation is maintained across a range of tightening forces. The parameters are selected so that the grooves provide sufficient air flow resistance to prevent liquid leakage through capillary pressure, while maintaining open paths for air entry even under loose fitting conditions.
4Reliability
If ventilation grooves have large cross-section, then ventilation is improved, but liquid leakage is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The groove cross-sections are designed with dimensions that provide sufficient ventilation area (width 0.1-1.0mm, depth 0.1-1.0mm) while deliberately limiting the total open area to prevent excessive liquid flow. The partial opening of grooves provides adequate air flow for pressure equalization during drinking, while the limited cross-sectional area creates sufficient capillary pressure to block liquid leakage.
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
This solution ensures reliable ventilation and prevents liquid leakage across a wide range of opening edge tolerances and positional variations, maintaining effective pressure equalization without compromising the structural integrity of the drinking container.
Implementation Method 1
The defined length and cross-section of the ventilation grooves ensure consistent ventilation and prevent liquid leakage, utilizing interfacial tension to prevent liquid flow through the grooves
Data Source
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AI summary
Drinking container with a drinking vessel, a drinking attachment and a screw ring, wherein: - the drinking vessel has an interior, a circular vessel opening, an opening rim surrounding the vessel opening and an external thread next to the vessel opening; - the drinking attachment has a circumferential annular flange for abutting the opening rim of the drinking vessel and an outwardly projecting drinking element; - at least one partially circular ventilation groove circumferential around the vessel opening is arranged in the underside of the annular flange and is covered by the upper side of the opening rim, or is arranged in the upper side of the opening rim and is covered by the underside of the annular flange, and in the underside of the annular flange or the upper side of the opening rim, in addition to the ventilation groove, there is an inlet groove connected to one end of the ventilation groove and a radially outwardly extending groove connected to the other end of the ventilation groove.A radially inward extending outlet groove is present, and the screw ring with an internal thread is screwed onto the external thread and presses the ring flange against the opening edge with a screw flange.