Double-Lid Storage Container for Passive Humidity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage units for moisture-sensitive products, such as herbs and teas, fail to maintain constant atmospheric conditions and humidity levels, leading to loss of specific properties and exposure to air, odors, and dirt.
Innovation Solution
A storage unit design featuring an outer container with a reversible inner container and a moisture-regulating agent compartment, ensuring constant humidity through air exchange openings and airtight sealing, while protecting contents from external contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simply constructed storage unit like a tea tin is used, then the device complexity is low, but the ability to maintain constant atmospheric conditions and humidity level deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The storage unit is divided into an outer container and an inner container that can be reversibly inserted into each other. The inner container holds the product and can be removed independently, while the outer container provides the sealing environment. This segmentation allows simple construction while maintaining humidity control through the removable inner container design.
Solution Approach 2:
A moisture-regulating agent is introduced as an intermediary substance placed in the space between the inner and outer containers. This agent actively controls the humidity level in the storage environment, enabling constant atmospheric conditions without complex electronic systems. The moisture-regulating agent mediates between the product and the external environment.
2Reliability
If complex humidification systems are used to achieve constant humidity, then the humidity maintenance capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The moisture-regulating agent operates autonomously without requiring external power sources, controls, or monitoring systems. It automatically absorbs or releases moisture to maintain constant humidity levels, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for complex electronic humidification equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state or chemical properties of the moisture-regulating agent to control humidity. By selecting appropriate materials with specific hygroscopic properties, the system maintains constant humidity through passive material characteristics rather than active mechanical or electrical systems.
3Ease of operation
If the inner container is made removable for easy product insertion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of product exposure to atmosphere during handling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner container is pre-assembled with the product in a controlled environment before being inserted into the outer container. The double-lid system is already in place on the inner container, so the product is protected from atmosphere during the insertion process. This preliminary preparation eliminates exposure risks during handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The design anticipates potential exposure risks by providing a second protective barrier (the outer container with its own lid). Even if the inner container lid is accidentally opened or removed during insertion, the product remains protected within the outer container's sealed environment, providing redundant protection against harmful factors.
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
Maintains the quality of moisture-sensitive products by maintaining constant humidity and preventing air, odor, and dirt ingress, ensuring the products' aroma, taste, and consistency are preserved.
Implementation Method 1
a space (3) for inserting a moisture-regulating agent (31) is formed between the outer container (1) and the inner container (2)
Implementation Method 2
The air exchange openings are designed for atmosphere exchange between the interior and the intermediate space, so that a uniform internal atmosphere with a specific degree of humidity can be set in the interior and in the intermediate space.
Implementation Method 3
The sluice-like double-lid system ensures that the storage unit is protected from the ingress of air, moisture and odors by the outer sealing lid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a storage unit (10) for storing products that can be affected by humidity, particularly tea, comprising: an outer container (1) comprising a closed outer wall (11), an upper side (101) on which the outer container (1) is open and has an upper edge (14), and a lower side (102) on which a closed bottom (12) is arranged; an inner container (2) having an inner space (7) for receiving the product that can be affected by humidity, a wall surface (25) provided with a number of air-exchange openings (28), a filling opening (201), a sealing edge (27) defining the filling opening (201), and a closed bottom (21), the inner container (2) being reversibly placed in the outer container (1), the filling opening (201) of the inner container (2) being upwardly oriented towards the upper side (101) of the outer container (1), and an intermediate space (3) for the insertion of a humidity-regulating means (31) being formed between the outer container (1) and the inner container (2); a reversibly removable covering frame (4) that can be placed on the outer container (1) and the inner container (2) and extends all the way around the upper edge (14) and the sealing edge (27), the covering frame (4) being designed to cover the opening (32) of the intermediate space (3), between the outer container (1) and the inner container (2), and a frame opening (41) for accessing the inner space (7) being provided in the covering frame (4); a reversibly removable inner sealing cover (5) for closing the frame opening (41), which can be placed on the covering frame (4); and a detachable outer closing cover (6) for closing the outer container (1) or the upper side (101) of the outer container (1) in an airtight manner.