Elastic Vent Valve for Food Containers Under Pressure Changes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food or beverage containers with vents face challenges in maintaining airtight and watertight seals while allowing for automatic pressure regulation during temperature changes, particularly under-pressure conditions.
Innovation Solution
A container with a vent element featuring an elastic panel that transitions between open and closed positions, secured by a locking mechanism, and a plug with a shaft that automatically adjusts to maintain a seal and vent as internal pressure changes, using a monolithic elastic material to ensure secure closure and pressure equalization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vent element with elastic panel is used to selectively close the aperture, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an elastic panel as the vent element to selectively close the aperture. The flexible nature of the elastic panel allows it to deform and seal against the aperture surface, providing reliable sealing without requiring complex mechanical components. This directly applies the principle of using flexible films to achieve sealing functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic panel is designed to automatically open and close based on pressure differential and user manipulation. When the container is under pressure, the panel opens automatically; when pressure equalizes, it closes automatically. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for external control systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vent element is designed to automatically open under under-pressure conditions, then the adaptability is improved, but the loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic panel is pre-configured with sufficient elasticity to resist normal pressure variations while maintaining sealing. The panel's elastic properties are specifically tuned to only yield under abnormal under-pressure conditions that could cause container deformation, preventing premature opening and substance loss during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the elastic properties of the panel material and its geometric configuration to create a pressure-responsive mechanism. The panel transitions from a sealed state to an open state based on pressure parameter changes, automatically adapting to protect the container from deformation while minimizing unnecessary openings that would cause substance loss.
3Reliability
If the elastic panel is made more compliant to ensure sealing, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vent element is segmented into distinct functional zones: a sealing region with high elastic compliance for reliable sealing, and a deformation region with lower stiffness that requires less force to open. This segmentation allows the panel to provide strong sealing where needed while being easier to open at the deformation zone, resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and ease of operation.
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 solution provides airtight and watertight sealing with automatic pressure regulation, preventing spoilage and deformation, ensuring the container remains functional over varying internal pressures and temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a valve element (16) including an elastic panel (24)
Implementation Method 2
the elastic nature of the panel ensuring forced contact and creating the valve closed condition
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
A food or beverage container with a valve. The valve is defined by an aperture in the one of the base or cover, and a valve element including an elastic panel. The panel has a first section secured to the cover by an elastic mounting tab which extends through the cover and is secured thereto. The elastic panel has an undeformed position spaced from the aperture such that the valve open condition is the default condition. The panel may be manually moved to a deformed position to close the aperture by a plug. This plug may include a shaft having an enlarged head, with the elastic nature of the panel ensuring forced contact and creating the valve closed condition. The elastic nature of the panel is tuned to allow the plug to be drawn inward during under-pressure with the container. This inward movement will break contact of the enlarged head a valve vent condition. With the interior of the container so vented and under-pressure reduced, the elastic nature of the panel will again move the plug outward to the valve closed condition. In this way the valve may automatically regulate pressure within the container during cooling.