Absorbent Catalyst Pack for Coffee Container Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hermetically sealed coffee containers face issues with internal pressure buildup due to off-gassing, leading to closure seal failures, especially during transportation and altitude changes, which can result in staling of coffee, and the use of one-way valves to address this issue has its own set of problems, including oxygen depletion in shipping trailers.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an absorbent, such as a mixture of calcium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide, and a catalyst, like oxides of copper and manganese, within the container to absorb and convert off-gases, eliminating the need for vacuum packing and one-way valves, thereby maintaining internal pressure and seal integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If semi-rigid containers are vacuum packed like metal cans, then manufacturing cost and shipping cost are reduced, but the container tends to collapse or distort leading to closure seal failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by placing an absorbent material inside the container before sealing to proactively manage off-gassing. This prevents pressure buildup that would cause container collapse or seal failure during transportation and altitude changes, thereby maintaining closure seal integrity without requiring vacuum packing
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent material acts as an intermediary between the coffee and the container environment. It absorbs off-gases produced by the coffee, preventing direct pressure effects on the container walls and closure seal, thus resolving the contradiction between non-vacuum packing and seal reliability
2Reliability
If coffee is degassed by storing in holding bins for extended periods prior to packing, then internal pressure buildup is reduced, but productivity is reduced due to extended hold time
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent material is placed in the container before sealing to proactively manage off-gassing. This eliminates the need for extended pre-packaging hold time, as the absorbent will handle pressure control during storage and transportation, thereby maintaining reliability while improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent material provides self-service pressure management within the sealed container. It autonomously absorbs off-gases as they are produced by the coffee during storage and transportation, eliminating the need for external degassing processes and enabling immediate packaging
3Reliability
If a one-way valve is placed in the closure to release off-gasses, then internal pressure is relieved, but oxygen levels in shipping trailers are depleted to undesirably low levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of off-gassing (pressure buildup) into a beneficial process by using the absorbent material to chemically absorb the off-gases within the sealed container. This eliminates the need for one-way valves that would deplete oxygen in shipping trailers, as all gas management occurs internally without external exchange
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent material serves as an intermediary that captures off-gases internally, preventing their release into the shipping trailer environment. This maintains both pressure reliability within the container and adequate oxygen levels in the external shipping environment
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 allows for immediate packaging of coffee after roasting, reduces production costs, prevents seal failures, maintains coffee freshness, and maintains oxygen levels in shipping trailers, while eliminating the need for degassing and one-way valves.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent, such as a mixture of calcium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide, and a catalyst, like oxides of copper and manganese, within the container to absorb and convert off-gases
Implementation Method 2
an absorbent, such as a mixture of calcium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide, and a catalyst, like oxides of copper and manganese, within the container to absorb and convert off-gases
Data Source
AI summary
Articles of manufacture and methods for absorbing gasses released by roaster coffee packed in hermetically sealed containers.