Aroma Display Container Valve for Sealed Sampling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display containers for aromatic materials lack a mechanism to control the flow of aroma between the internal chamber and the external environment effectively, limiting user interaction and experience.
Innovation Solution
A display container with a valve assembly featuring a sealing member and a compression spring that moves between closed and open positions to control fluid communication through openings, allowing controlled aroma release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lid portion has openings for aroma sampling, then user interaction and aroma sampling capability are improved, but the enclosure cannot maintain an airtight seal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dynamic sealing mechanism where the sealing member can move between blocking and unblocking positions. The compression spring enables the sealing member to dynamically adjust its position, allowing the container to switch between sealed and open states. This resolves the contradiction by making the seal adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member acts as an intermediary element between the openings and the interior chamber. It mediates the conflict between needing openings for aroma sampling and maintaining an airtight seal by selectively blocking or unblocking the flow path based on user interaction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a sealing mechanism is added to control aroma flow, then aroma release control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compression spring provides self-service by automatically biasing the sealing member to the closed position without requiring additional actuators or power sources. The spring's elastic energy enables the sealing mechanism to function autonomously, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a spring-based pneumatic mechanism where the compression spring stores and releases mechanical energy to control the sealing member's position. This simple pneumatic approach provides effective aroma flow control without complex electronic or mechanical systems.
3Reliability
If the sealing member is always in the closed position to maintain seal integrity, then airtight seal is improved, but user interaction and aroma sampling are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is designed to be dynamic rather than static, capable of moving between closed and open positions. The compression spring enables this dynamic behavior by providing the necessary biasing force while allowing controlled displacement, thus maintaining seal integrity when closed while enabling user interaction when opened.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member operates in periodic cycles, alternating between closed (sealing) and open (sampling) states. This periodic action allows the container to maintain its seal during storage while periodically allowing user access for aroma sampling, resolving the contradiction between continuous sealing and periodic access.
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 controlled aroma release and user interaction by blocking or unblocking the flow path between the internal chamber and the external environment, enhancing the user experience.
Implementation Method 1
the valve assembly including a compression spring biasing the sealing member toward the closed position and accommodating movement of the sealing member toward the open position
Implementation Method 2
the compression spring pushing the first and second surfaces axially apart for biasing the sealing member toward the closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A display container includes (a) an enclosure having a body portion defining an interior chamber of the enclosure and a lid portion mounted to the body portion and having one or more openings for providing a flow path between the interior chamber and an external environment, and (b) a valve assembly mounted to the lid portion and including a sealing member adjacent the one or more openings and movable between a closed position blocking the flow path to inhibit fluid communication between the interior chamber and the external environment through the one or more openings, and an open position in which the flow path is unblocked to provide fluid communication between the interior chamber and the external environment through the one or more openings. A compression spring biases the sealing member toward the closed position and accommodates movement of the sealing member toward the open position.