Biodegradable One-Way Venting Valve for Airtight Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current one-way venting valves for airtight containers are not biodegradable, preventing packages containing biodegradable materials from being considered fully biodegradable, despite the use of biodegradable container laminates.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable one-way venting valve formed from materials like corn starch, potato flour, or synthetic biopolymers, which maintains the operational features of non-biodegradable valves, ensuring the package's integrity and compliance with standards such as EN 13421 and ISO 14855-1.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermoplastic materials are used to form the venting valve, then the valve can maintain structural integrity and operational reliability, but the package cannot be considered biodegradable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameter of the venting valve from conventional thermoplastic materials to biodegradable materials such as starch, cellulose, or their derivatives. This parameter change enables the valve to degrade after use while maintaining the necessary mechanical properties and operational reliability during the product's storage and usage period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures where biodegradable materials are combined with appropriate additives or coatings to achieve both biodegradability and functional reliability. The composite formulation allows the valve to maintain structural integrity during operation while ensuring complete biodegradation under composting conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If biodegradable materials are used to form the venting valve, then the package can be qualified as biodegradable, but the valve must maintain the same operational features as non-biodegradable valves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls key parameters of the biodegradable materials including molecular weight, crystallinity, and cross-linking density to ensure the valve maintains adequate mechanical strength, flexibility, and pressure response characteristics during operation while remaining biodegradable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material formulations or treatments to different regions of the valve structure. For example, the sealing surface may have different material properties compared to the body, allowing each region to optimize both functional performance and biodegradation characteristics.
3Stress or pressure
If the venting valve is designed to open at slight internal overpressure, then the container can relieve pressure to prevent breaking, but the valve must ensure airtightness when closed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic valve mechanism where the biodegradable material's flexibility and elasticity enable the valve to automatically open under overpressure conditions and close when pressure equalizes. The material's viscoelastic properties allow it to deform under stress and return to its original sealing configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the mechanical parameters of the biodegradable valve material including its elastic modulus, yield strength, and fracture toughness to achieve the precise pressure threshold for opening while maintaining effective sealing when closed. The material composition is optimized to respond to specific pressure differentials.
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 biodegradable venting valve allows for controlled gas release and pressure relief, ensuring the package's airtightness and biodegradability, meeting the requirements for compostability and environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
the venting valve is formed from biodegradable materials whose characteristics fulfill the specifications of EN 13421 or the equivalent specifications ISO 14855-1:2005 or the equivalent specifications ASTM D6400-04
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a venting valve for a container (1) adapted to contain gas-releasing products comprising a valve body (2A) and a one-way valve member (4) movable between a first configuration and a second configuration, said valve member (4) being associated with said valve body (2A). Particularly the valve body (2A) is formed from a biodegradable material and said movable valve member (4) is a combination of at least one biodegradable material and at least one non biodegradable material.