Hermetically Sealed Bean Hopper with Flexible Ring for Air Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hoppers for feeding beans, such as coffee beans, suffer from air oxidation issues due to uncontrolled air entry, leading to a loss of organoleptic properties, and current solutions are either expensive or not effectively hermetically sealed.
Innovation Solution
A hermetically sealed hopper design with flexible sealing means and by-pass elements that allow air passage, featuring a lid with a flexible ring that changes inclination to seal or allow air flow based on movement direction, and a rotatable bottom with elastic sealing to prevent air ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the lid is hermetically sealed to prevent air entry, then bean oxidation is reduced, but air cannot be evacuated from the container
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible ring is pre-configured with by-pass elements that automatically activate during the filling operation. When the lid is pressed down to fill beans, the by-pass elements allow air to escape beforehand, preventing oxidation issues before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible ring with by-pass elements dynamically changes its sealing characteristics based on lid position. During filling, the by-pass elements open to allow air evacuation; during storage, the ring returns to its sealed configuration to prevent oxidation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual suction means are provided to evacuate air, then air volume is reduced, but the system becomes complex and requires user intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The complex automated suction means and control systems are completely removed from the design. Instead, a simple flexible ring with by-pass elements performs the air evacuation function passively during the natural filling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible ring with by-pass elements automatically performs air evacuation during filling without requiring any user intervention or complex control systems. The structure serves itself by utilizing the filling motion to activate the by-pass elements.
3Productivity
If the lower aperture is closed with closing means, then bean discharge is controlled, but air can still enter uncontrolled
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing functions of the lid and the lower aperture closing means are merged into a unified hermetic system. The flexible ring with by-pass elements at the lid works in coordination with the closing means at the lower aperture to create complete hermetic sealing throughout the container.
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 design effectively reduces air volume inside the hopper, preserving bean quality by minimizing oxidation and maintaining organoleptic properties, while being simpler and more cost-effective than existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible ring (31), which is provided with a plurality of by-pass elements (32), is configured to flex upward or downward in relation to a direction of movement of the lid
Implementation Method 2
the lid (17) is provided with first sealing means (30), of the flexible type, configured to cooperate in a sliding and hermetic manner with the internal surface (13) so as to prevent a passage of air toward the upper end (16) through the lid (17)
Data Source
AI summary
Hermetically sealed hopper (10) for feeding beans, comprising a closing lid (17), a container (11) having an open upper end (16) and a lower end (19). The lid (17) is provided with first sealing means (30), of the flexible type, configured to cooperate in a sliding and hermetic manner with the internal surface (13).