Fermentation Container Sealing Structure for Carbonic Acid Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage makers for making homemade beer lack an efficient and user-friendly fermentation container that maintains optimal temperature and prevents leakage of carbonic acid during fermentation.

Innovation Solution

A fermentation container with a main body, a bonding portion, a connecting portion, a flexible container thermally bonded to the bonding portion, and a pressing member made of elastic material to press the thermal bonding portion, preventing separation and leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a flexible container is thermally bonded to the bonding portion to form a fermentation space, then the fermentation container can maintain flexibility and accommodate fermentation expansion, but the thermal bonding may separate due to internal pressure causing carbonic acid leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding stabilityVSAvoidcarbonic acid leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing member is installed before fermentation to apply continuous pressure on the thermal bonding portion, preventing separation that would occur during fermentation due to internal carbonic acid pressure. This preliminary counter-action ensures the bonding remains intact throughout the fermentation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing member acts as an intermediary component between the rigid container body and the flexible container, mediating the pressure forces during fermentation. It distributes and manages the internal pressure to prevent bonding failure while allowing the flexible container to expand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the container portion expands during fermentation, then it can accommodate the fermentation process, but the thermal bonding portion may separate from the bonding portion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefermentation capacityVSAvoidbonding integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing member is pre-installed to apply continuous pressure on the thermal bonding portion before and during fermentation. This preliminary counter-action prevents the bonding from separating even when the container portion expands to accommodate fermentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If a pressing member is added to maintain bonding, then bonding stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding stabilityVSAvoidcontainer structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing member is designed to be self-installing by fitting between the container body and the flange portion. It automatically positions itself and applies the necessary pressure without requiring additional complex mechanisms or assembly steps, thus adding minimal complexity while effectively maintaining bonding stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 ensures stable fermentation by maintaining the thermal bonding between the flexible container and the container body, preventing carbonic acid leakage and allowing for high-quality beverage production.

Implementation Method 1

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

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:

Data Source

PatentEP4303173B1Fermentation container and beverage maker having fermentation container
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4303173B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4303173B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4303173B1 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.