Flexible Lid Packaging with Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional canning processes face challenges in sealing flexible or partly flexible containers due to instability at high temperatures, leading to potential damage from internal pressure and inconvenience in maintaining matched internal and external pressures during sterilization.
Innovation Solution
The process involves securing a flexible cover on a rigid container with unsealed openings, heating the contents to expel gases through these openings, and sealing while steam is still flowing out, allowing for pressure equalization without the need for a controlled steam environment, and optionally using a partial vacuum to reduce boiling temperature and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flexible lid is sealed at atmospheric pressure before sterilization, then the container can be sealed and sterilized, but the high pressure inside the sealed container during sterilization can damage the seal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by removing air from the container headspace before sealing, and creating controlled openings in the seal that allow pressure equalization during sterilization. This preliminary preparation prevents pressure buildup that would damage the seal, while maintaining seal integrity throughout the sterilization process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the seal by incorporating openings that allow pressure equalization. The seal is designed with specific pressure thresholds that allow it to remain intact under normal conditions while permitting controlled pressure release during sterilization, thus adapting the seal's behavior to different pressure conditions.
2Reliability
If the container is sealed in a controlled steam environment to match internal and external pressures, then seal damage is prevented, but the process becomes inconvenient and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the seal with built-in pressure equalization openings that automatically regulate pressure during sterilization without requiring external control systems. The seal structure itself provides the pressure management function, eliminating the need for complex controlled steam environments or additional monitoring equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the pressure management function from the sterilization process environment and incorporates it directly into the seal structure. By taking out the need for controlled steam environments and embedding pressure equalization capabilities within the seal itself, the system becomes simpler and more convenient while maintaining reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional canning processes are used with flexible containers, then the containers can be sealed, but the film lid is not sufficiently stable at high temperatures and the seal may be weak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by using a multi-layer flexible lid structure that combines materials with different properties. The composite construction provides thermal stability and mechanical strength at high temperatures while maintaining the flexibility needed for the sealing process, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and thermal stability.
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 method effectively seals containers without damaging the seal, maintains sterility, and reduces energy costs by avoiding the need for a steam environment, while ensuring the retention of organoleptic properties in canned foodstuffs.
Implementation Method 1
heating to a temperature above its boiling point, causing or permitting vapor generated by the boiling liquid to expel other gases from the container
Implementation Method 2
vapor generated by the boiling liquid to expel other gases from the container
Implementation Method 3
heating to a temperature above its boiling point
Implementation Method 4
causing or permitting vapor generated by the boiling liquid
Implementation Method 5
The container is cooled to a temperature at which the vapor pressure of the volatile liquid is substantially less than the ambient pressure outside the container
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment of an apparatus and process for packaging foodstuffs or other materials in a rigid container sealed by a flexible cover, a desired quantity of material to be packaged containing or together with some water or other liquid is placed in the container, the flexible cover is secured on the container so as to leave at least one unsealed opening, the container is heated and/or placed in a partial vacuum to bring the liquid above its boiling point to cause or permit vapor generated by the boiling liquid to expel other gases from the container through the unsealed opening, and the container is sealed while gas or vapor is still flowing out of the container through the unsealed opening.