Flexible Packaging Valve With Guided Membrane for Rapid Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valves for flexible packaging, both one-way and two-way, face challenges such as uneven and limited throughflow, making evacuation and gas admission slow, and are not suitable for rapid vacuuming or flushing due to their design limitations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating guide means along the membrane's periphery to facilitate controlled movement and create a well-defined, large throughflow area, allowing for rapid vacuuming and gas introduction, with a cylindrical housing and nozzle design to ensure efficient flow patterns and prevent leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a membrane valve is used for packaging evacuation, then gas-tight sealing is achieved, but the throughflow opening is limited and evacuation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is designed to be movable between closed and open positions rather than fixed. During evacuation, the membrane can be actuated to move away from the valve seat, dynamically changing the flow area from minimal to large, thus reducing evacuation time while maintaining sealing capability when closed
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a spatial dimension for membrane movement perpendicular to the valve seat. Instead of relying on a fixed two-dimensional opening, the membrane can displace in the third dimension (axial direction), creating a variable three-dimensional flow passage that significantly increases throughflow area when open
2Stability of the object's composition
If a membrane is enclosed on one side, then structural stability is improved, but the throughflow opening becomes uneven and limited
Solution Approach 1:
The valve structure is divided into functional zones: the enclosed portion provides structural stability and sealing surface, while the open portion allows membrane displacement. The membrane itself is segmented in function, with its periphery guided for stability and its center free to move for flow control
Solution Approach 2:
Guide means are introduced as an intermediary element between the membrane and housing. These guides constrain the membrane's movement path, ensuring it moves uniformly away from the valve seat without compromising structural stability, thereby creating a well-defined opening shape
3Productivity
If a one-way valve design is used, then evacuation function is achieved, but gas admission capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed with universal functionality to perform both evacuation and gas admission. The same membrane and valve seat structure serve dual purposes: during evacuation the membrane moves to allow outward gas flow, during gas admission the membrane moves to allow inward gas flow, eliminating the need for separate valve mechanisms
4Reliability
If the throughflow opening is limited to prevent leakage, then sealing reliability is improved, but gas admission speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve employs dynamic opening control where the membrane displacement determines the flow area. During gas admission, the membrane is actuated to a position that creates a large throughflow area for rapid filling, while during sealing the membrane returns to the closed position. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between limited opening for sealing and large opening for speed
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 enables rapid evacuation and flushing of packaging, ensuring a gas-tight seal and efficient gas exchange, improving the storage and transport of products by enhancing the flow dynamics and reducing the time required for vacuuming and gas introduction.
Implementation Method 1
when the packaging is vacuumed... when the pressure outside the packaging is high enough
Implementation Method 2
there is space in the housing adjacently of the membrane for the purpose of forming a passage between the first and second opening
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a valve (4) for a flexible packaging (1), comprising a valve housing (11) to be connected to an aerating and/or venting opening (6) of the packaging and having a first opening (22) and an opposite second opening (35), and a flexible membrane (24) movable between a position which closes the first opening and a position which leaves the first opening clear. The valve is provided with guide means (28) for guiding the movement of the membrane, wherein there is space (40) in the housing adjacently of the membrane for the purpose of forming a passage between the first and second opening when the membrane takes up-its open position. The invention also relates to a flexible packaging with an aerating and/or venting opening and a valve arranged therein. The invention further relates to an assembly of an aerating and/or venting device and such a valve. The invention also relates to a method for evacuating a flexible packaging via a venting opening while making use of such a valve and a venting device connected thereto. The invention finally relates to a method for flushing a flexible packaging with gas via an aerating and/or venting opening by making use of such a valve and an aerating and/or venting device connected thereto.