Fermentation Container Sealing Structure for Carbonic Acid Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fermentation containers for home beer makers face challenges in maintaining optimal temperature and preventing leakage of carbonic acid during the fermentation process, which can lead to suboptimal beer quality and equipment damage.

Innovation Solution

A fermentation container design featuring a flexible container thermally bonded to a container body, with a pressing member made of elastic material that prevents separation of the thermal bonding portion from the bonding portion, ensuring consistent temperature control and preventing carbonic acid leakage by maintaining pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a flexible container is thermally bonded to a bonding portion, then temperature control is improved, but the bonding portion may separate from the thermal bonding portion due to internal pressure, leading to leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidbonding stability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing member is pre-installed and pre-compressed between the bonding portion and the flexible container before fermentation begins. This preliminary compression action ensures that the thermal bonding interface is firmly pressed together from the start, preventing separation when internal pressure builds up during fermentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing member acts as a preventive measure against bonding failure. By continuously applying compression force beforehand and throughout the fermentation process, it cushions against the harmful effect of internal pressure that would otherwise cause the thermal bonding portion to separate from the bonding portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the fermentation container is sealed tightly to prevent leakage, then reliability is improved, but temperature uniformity may deteriorate due to heat accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleakage preventionVSAvoidtemperature uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing member is positioned specifically at the bonding portion where leakage occurs, applying localized compression force only where needed. This localized action prevents leakage at the bonding interface without requiring uniform compression throughout the entire container, thus maintaining temperature uniformity in the fermentation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively maintains optimal temperature conditions and prevents carbonic acid leakage, resulting in high-quality beer production and extended equipment lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

a pressing member having an elastic material and configured to press the thermal bonding portion to the bonding portion by being fitted between the main body and the thermal bonding portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a flexible container including a thermal bonding portion thermally bonded to a top surface of the bonding portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal bonding: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3666875B1Fermentation container and beverage maker having fermentation container
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3666875B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3666875B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3666875B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fermentation container may include a main body; a bonding portion spaced in a downward direction apart from a bottom surface of the main body; a connecting portion configured to connect the bonding portion and the main body; a flexible container including a thermal bonding portion thermally bonded to a top surface of the bonding portion, and a container portion connected to the thermal bonding portion and forming a fermentation space under the bonding portion; and a pressing member comprising an elastic material and configured to press the thermal bonding portion to the bonding portion by being fitted between the main body and the thermal bonding portion.