1.Introduction
2.The Material of the Stopper
3.The Design of the Stopper
4.Solutions and Tips
5.Conclusion
Introduction:
Hot water bottle is important for most times during the cold periods in winter as it provides warmth through out the night. Although they are small and portable most people have a common issue whenever they are using this product — the fact that they cannot open the stopper. This issue is not just constrained to usage but can even cause discomfort and inconvenience in the complicated process. This is because of the material, design and how it is used with regard to the.That is what will be discussed in this blog pointing out directions on how to solve this problem.
The Material of the Hot Water Bottle Stopper
The stoppers of a hot water bottle are conventionally made of plastic or rubber. There are materials such as Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), and Silicone that are used.; The above materials have features of small heat coefficient and pressure coefficient, but these stopper cannot be opened under certain conditions.
Polypropylene (PP) Stopper
Polypropylene is versatile kind of plastic mainly because it allows itself to be used in products that can be very lightweight, heat and chemical resistant. Its uses include, but are not limited to use in the stoppers of hot water bottles. Its called PP and is quite strong, but will deform under heat, particularly when exposed to very hot water or with long heat sessions. This deformation can make the stopper very hard to open especially when it is sealed properly.
Silicone Stopper
Silicone is an elastomer that has excellent heat resistance and its sealing performance is also outstanding. Some of the hot water bottles have silicone stoppers which ultimately enhance sealing to avoid water leakage. Bur the strong sealing named with vacuum can generate apparently pressure within the bottle if the water temperature is too high sometimes. This makes the stopper to be very tight when one is opening it.
The Design of the Stopper
Besides the material, the stopper design also affects the possibility of the stopper to be opened or not to be opened easily.
Twist and Snap Designs
The stoppers of hot water bottle mostly involve twist and snap stoppers. Twist design is good for sealing which is necessary for a container. However, if the stopper’s design is not quite friendly or the twist mechanism is too narrow then it may leads to the problem of the stopper which is stuck or difficult to open. On the other hand, snap designs give easier opening than the twist one.
Sealing Design
Some hot water bottle stoppers are designed having sealing capabilities to avoid from leaking of water inside the water bottle. But, this can make it difficult to open the stopper. Especially if the bottle is to be filled with hot water the inside pressure of steam makes the stopper well closed. The majority of the hot water bottles have an additional seal for extra protection. It is composed of an outer waterproof layer and an inner pressure layer incorporate in this design helps to reduce leaks but at the same time it poses a challenge in the opening of stopper.
High water temperatures, that is, near boiling, can allow steam pressure to seal the stopper down very well. On this note it is advised that the bottle should never be filled to its full capacity and that the water temperature should be regulated. The water temperature should ideal range at 140°F-176°F（60°C-80°C）. It preserves it warm sufficiently for the accomodation of comfort and averts the stopper from closing down firmly.
Improper Method of Opening Stopper
Occasionally, the stopper might not open owing to the use of an improper force or using the wrong method of twisting. Instead, twirl the stopper a little bit clockwise and anti-clockwise to determine if the stopper is secured tightly. If it still doesn’t open, give it time to sit in some warm water a bit and then attempt to pry open. It may peel off due to the expansion resulting from heat.
Dirt from long-term use is another situation that may be considered superficially as not warranting treatment but , in fact, may require expensive and extensive cleaning procedures.
In the process, the stoppers of the hot water bottles may develop scale or dirt build up if the water is hard. These residues are able to make the stopper as well as the opening of the bottle narrower making it challenging to open. This should be done on a regular basis paying much attention to the seal area of the stopper, protecting this region from water accumulation is great.
If you encounter difficulty opening the stopper of a hot water bottle, here are some methods that can help:
1.Cool Down Before Opening: Do not put the sealed hot water bottle under the bed cover until it has cooled a little. Hence the internal pressure decreases causing the stopper to be opened more easily as time goes on.
2.Use Rubber Gloves: Rubber gloves, or a cloth wrapped around it can help increase friction which makes twisting easier to bring the stopper open.
3.Flip the rubber cover of the hot water bottle down: in doing so you change its orientation by moving it with the palm of your hand facing parallel to the table.
4.Warm the stopper: This means that consumers should warm the stopper before attempting to open it, through immersion in warm water.
5.Clean the stopper and Seal: Daily clean the stopper and the sealing area to prevent accumulation of dirt that may interfer with the sealing function.
Conclusion
The above are some factors that arise due to material design, and usage when trying to open a hot water bottle stopper. Once you select the right hot water bottle and follow the right usage procedures, the problem would have been eradicated. It also prevent this from happening and with the right procedure your hot water bottle will keep you warm when you need it in future.
