Drying Cover for Hygroscopic Solid Packaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hygroscopic, free-flowing solids in powdery or granular form are prone to clumping or caking due to moisture during transport and storage, existing packaging solutions are either costly, complex, or inefficient in absorbing moisture, and desiccant placement can be cumbersome and ineffective.

Innovation Solution

A moisture-proof drying cover, which can be inserted into an existing transport container, surrounds the product bag and contains desiccant bags on its inner side, allowing for independent placement and easy absorption of moisture without modifying the container or product bag, utilizing commercially available desiccant bags and a moisture-permeable material for effective dehumidification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If desiccant bags are placed in the transport container, then moisture absorption is improved, but the desiccant bags move during transport and concentrate moisture absorption in limited areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture absorption effectivenessVSAvoiddesiccant bag position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible drying cover made of moisture-proof material is introduced to contain the desiccant bags and maintain their distributed position within the transport container, preventing movement during transport while allowing moisture vapor to reach the desiccant through the moisture-proof material's permeability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of operation

If desiccant bags are fixed to the product bag, then position stability is improved, but the effort and complexity of arrangement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesiccant bag position stabilityVSAvoidfixing mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The desiccant bags are extracted from direct attachment to the product bag and instead are contained within the separate drying cover, simplifying the system by removing the need for complex fixing mechanisms while maintaining position stability through the cover's structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a moisture-permeable product bag is used, then moisture can reach the desiccant, but the product is exposed to moisture during transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture absorption effectivenessVSAvoidproduct exposure to moisture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Device complexity

If existing transport containers are used, then distribution system simplicity is maintained, but moisture absorption capability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistribution system simplicityVSAvoidmoisture absorption effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The drying cover acts as an intermediary component that enhances the moisture absorption capability of existing transport containers without requiring modifications to the container itself or the product bag, maintaining distribution system simplicity while improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively reduces the risk of clumping and caking by evenly distributing desiccant absorption within the transport container, maintaining product flowability and allowing existing distribution systems to be used without additional effort or expense, with the option for reusable or disposable desiccant sleeves.

Implementation Method 1

a desiccant which is arranged outside the product bag and inside the transport container to absorb and store moisture in the transport container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

a closable product bag made of a moisture-permeable material for holding the product

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP2874910B1Pack for a product having at least one hygroscopic free flowing solid

Publication Date: 2017.03.15 MERCK PATENT GMBH

AI summary

In a pack (1) for a product (3) having at least one hygroscopic free‑flowing solid, a transporting container (4) has arranged in it a drying sheath (10) which is made of a moisture‑tight material, which encloses a product bag (2), filled with the product (3), and in the case of which the dessicant (14) is arranged on an inner side (11) of the drying sheath (10), said inner side being directed towards the product bag (2). The dessicant (14) is arranged in at least one, preferably in more than one, dessicnt bag (13). The at least one dessicant bag (13) is covered by a moisture‑permeable perforated covering (16), and secured thereby, on the inner side (11) of the drying sheath (10). The drying sheath (10) is matched either to the shaping of the product bag (2) or to the shaping of the transporting container (4). The product bag (2), for accommodating the product (3), is a textile nonwoven made of thermally welded high‑density‑polyethylene fibres. The drying sheath (10) is a thin sheath made of polyethylene or has such a sheath or coating.