Evacuable Bag Filter Prevents Valve Seal Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Collapsible, evacuable storage containers face issues with small particles interfering with the operation of the one-way valve mechanism, leading to air leakage due to lodging around the valve lip, which compromises the airtight seal and vacuum integrity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a filter attached to the receptacle wall over the one-way valve, which ensures that air flowing out through the valve must pass through the filter before exiting, preventing particulate matter from entering and interfering with the valve mechanism, thereby maintaining an airtight seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a one-way valve mechanism is used to evacuate air from the bag, then air can be removed effectively, but small particles can lodge around the valve lip and prevent complete sealing, causing air leakage
Solution Approach 1:
A filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the bag interior and the one-way valve. The filter captures small particles before they can reach the valve lip, allowing air to pass through while blocking particulate matter. This mediator prevents particles from interfering with the valve sealing surface, maintaining both vacuum integrity and reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the filter element and the valve mechanism. The filter is positioned upstream of the valve, creating distinct zones for particle filtration and vacuum evacuation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without interference from particles.
2Volume of moving object
If the bag is evacuated to compress articles, then storage space is reduced and protection from moisture and organisms is improved, but particles can interfere with the valve operation compromising the vacuum seal
Solution Approach 1:
The filter serves as a protective intermediary that enables the evacuation process to proceed reliably. By capturing particles before they reach the valve, the filter ensures that the vacuum seal remains intact throughout compression and storage, maintaining both volume reduction and seal reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If bulk items are stored in large rigid containers, then protection during shipment is maintained, but unused contents become exposed to air and unusable once opened
Solution Approach 1:
The necessary protective function (moisture and air exclusion) is extracted from the large rigid container and implemented in a flexible bag with evacuation capability. This allows the bag to provide equivalent protection while enabling selective access to bulk items, preventing waste of unused contents.
Solution Approach 2:
The bag transitions from an expanded state during filling to a compressed evacuated state for storage. This phase transition allows bulk items to be compacted while maintaining protection, and enables the bag to be resealed and re-evacuated for subsequent use without exposing contents to air.
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 filter effectively prevents small particles from contaminating the valve seal, ensuring a reliable airtight seal and maintaining the vacuum within the storage bag, preventing air leakage and preserving the integrity of the stored contents.
Implementation Method 1
a filter attached to the same receptacle wall. The filter is arranged so that any air flowing from the interior volume outward through the one-way valve must flow through the filter before flowing through the valve
Implementation Method 2
a one-way valve penetrating a wall of the receptacle
Implementation Method 3
a zipper for closing the opening and hermetically sealing the bag
Data Source
AI summary
An evacuable, reclosable bag including a receptacle having an interior volume and a mouth; a closure operable to open and close the mouth; a one-way valve penetrating a wall of the receptacle; and a filter attached to the same receptacle wall. The filter is arranged so that any air flowing from the interior volume outward through the one-way valve must flow through the filter before flowing through the valve. The filter may be a mesh or fabric (woven or nonwoven) having openings sized to prevent the passage of particulate matter placed inside the bag.