Floating Membrane Pressure Relief Valve for Packaging Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressure relief valves for packaging containers often fail to effectively seal and quickly respond to pressure changes, allowing oxygen to penetrate and not closing reliably after pressure equalization, which can compromise the quality of packaged goods.

Innovation Solution

A pressure relief valve design featuring a base body with a sealing surface, a first membrane partially covering the surface, and a second membrane floating on the first, utilizing a fluid like silicone oil to enhance sealing and mobility, ensuring rapid closure and minimal oxygen diffusion through the use of a capillary effect and optimized membrane dimensions and thickness ratios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If a pressure relief valve is used to allow gas escape, then pressure equalization is achieved, but sealing reliability deteriorates and oxygen ingress occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure equalizationVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible membrane that can deform in response to pressure differences. The membrane seals the through-opening when pressure equalizes and automatically opens when overpressure occurs, providing reliable sealing without complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a liquid-filled chamber where the membrane separates gas phases. The liquid transmits pressure forces to control membrane movement, enabling automatic opening and closing based on pressure differential without mechanical linkages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If the membrane is made more rigid to improve sealing, then sealing effect improves, but response speed to pressure changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectVSAvoidresponse speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the membrane's physical parameters including thickness, material composition, and pre-tensioning to achieve the right balance between flexibility for rapid response and sufficient rigidity for effective sealing. The membrane properties are tuned specifically for the application requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the through-opening is made larger to improve gas escape, then pressure release speed improves, but sealing reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure release speedVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane dynamically adjusts the effective opening size based on pressure conditions. At normal pressure, the membrane completely seals the opening. At overpressure, it deflects to create a controlled gas escape path, optimizing both sealing and pressure release performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 improved sealing and faster response to pressure changes, preventing oxygen ingress and ensuring reliable operation by maintaining a tight seal and efficient gas release, thus maintaining the quality of packaged goods.

Implementation Method 1

The fluid causes adhesion, causing the first diaphragm to stick to the sealing surface and thus seal the passage opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

Capillary action further ensures that the fluid is evenly distributed between the sealing surface and the first diaphragm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 3

the capillary effect also prevents the fluid from flowing out through the passage opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary effect: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 4

the adhesive force of the fluid pulls the first diaphragm back towards the sealing surface, closing the gas channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive force: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3686125B1Pressure relief valve with floating membrane and packaging container
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 SYNTEGON TECHNOLOGY GMBH
  • EP3686125B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3686125B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Overpressure valve of a packaging container, comprising: a base body (2) with an edge region (3) and with a sealing surface (4), wherein the edge region (3) can be sealedly connected to a wall (10) of a packaging container (100), and wherein at least one through-opening (51) is formed in the sealing surface (4), which extends through the base body (2), a first diaphragm (6) which is arranged over the through-opening (51) and at least partially covers the sealing surface (4), a second diaphragm (7) which at least partially covers the first diaphragm (6), and a fluid (8) which is applied to the sealing surface (4) and by means of which the first diaphragm (6) is held floating on the sealing surface (4).