Collectable Absorber Canisters for Humidity Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Perishable products face challenges in maintaining controlled moisture levels within packaging, leading to degradation due to imperfect seals, especially in disposable containers, necessitating an effective desiccant solution for humidity control.

Innovation Solution

Collectable absorber canisters with predetermined shapes and colors, offering visual identification and incorporating desiccants like silica gel, are used within packaging to control humidity and provide quick product recognition, featuring geometric, organic, or composite shapes, and potentially scented for added functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a moisture absorbing material (desiccant canister) is placed within packaging, then moisture content control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture content controlVSAvoidpackaging structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The desiccant system is segmented into modular canisters that can be independently placed within the packaging. Each canister is a separate unit containing the moisture-absorbing material, allowing for flexible placement and easy replacement without affecting the entire packaging system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The desiccant canister acts as an intermediary component between the perishable product and the external environment. It mediates moisture control by absorbing excess humidity while keeping the product contained within the sealed packaging, thus protecting the product without requiring direct modification of the packaging structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional desiccant canisters are used, then moisture control is achieved, but product identification and consumer engagement are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidity controlVSAvoidproduct recognition

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The canisters are produced in various colors that can indicate different moisture absorption levels, product types, or brand identities. This visual differentiation enhances consumer recognition and provides additional information about the product's moisture status without compromising the desiccant's functional performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the desiccant canister purely functional and invisible, the invention inverts the approach by making the canister visually prominent and informative. The canister becomes a visual communication tool that provides product information while performing its moisture-absorbing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of manufacture

If disposable containers are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but seal reliability deteriorates leading to moisture degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer productionVSAvoidseal integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The desiccant canister is placed within the packaging beforehand to cushion against potential moisture intrusion. Even if the seal of a disposable container is imperfect, the pre-positioned desiccant canister absorbs excess moisture that penetrates through seal deficiencies, protecting the perishable product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of moisture control from relying solely on seal integrity to actively managing humidity levels through desiccant material. This allows disposable containers with variable seal quality to maintain consistent product protection by adjusting the desiccant's moisture absorption capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

These canisters effectively maintain humidity levels, enhance product identification, and provide a visually appealing solution for perishable products, improving storage conditions and consumer recognition, while being reusable and environmentally friendly.

Implementation Method 1

Desiccants can control the moisture content (or humidity) of the atmosphere in which perishable products are stored

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20240124208A1Collectable absorber canisters

Publication Date: 2024.04.18 HOSAC TRACY

AI summary

A collectable absorber canister has a predetermined outer configuration selected from the group consisting of an organic shape, an inorganic shape, and a composite shape. A collecting device stores the collectable absorber canister.