Dual-Wall Injection Molded Container for Humidity Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current injection molding processes do not enable the creation of containers with two different substances to enclose a humidity control product, limiting the ability to regulate relative humidity within a closed space effectively.

Innovation Solution

An injection molded container is designed with an outer wall that is liquid impermeable and vapor impermeable, and an inner wall that is liquid impermeable and vapor permeable, forming a hollow cavity filled with a humidity control product, allowing for effective humidity regulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single-material injection molded container is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but it cannot effectively regulate humidity within the container

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidity regulation capabilityVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container is segmented into multiple functional layers: an outer wall portion, an inner wall portion, and a hollow cavity between them. This segmentation allows each layer to serve a specific function - the outer wall provides structural integrity, the inner wall allows vapor transmission, and the cavity houses the humidity control product, collectively achieving effective humidity regulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The humidity control product is nested within the hollow cavity formed between the outer and inner wall portions of the container. This nested structure integrates the humidity control function within the container itself without requiring separate external components, achieving space-efficient multi-functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a two-material injection molded container with hollow cavity is used, then humidity control product can be enclosed, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidity control functionalityVSAvoidinjection molding process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mold is pre-configured with separate cavities for the outer wall portion and inner wall portion before the injection molding process begins. This preliminary setup allows both wall portions to be formed in a single injection cycle, simplifying the manufacturing process despite the multi-material complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The formation of the outer wall portion and inner wall portion is merged into a single injection molding operation. By combining these steps into one process, the patent eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly steps, making the complex multi-material structure easier to produce.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If conventional injection molding is used, then production efficiency is high, but containers with integrated humidity control cannot be created

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidity regulationVSAvoidmanufacturing cycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mold is pre-configured with separate cavities for the outer wall portion and inner wall portion before the injection molding process begins. This preliminary setup allows both wall portions to be formed in a single injection cycle, maintaining high production efficiency while achieving integrated humidity control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The formation of the outer wall portion and inner wall portion is merged into a single injection molding operation. This consolidation maintains high productivity by eliminating multiple manufacturing cycles while integrating the humidity control structure into the container itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution allows for the creation of containers that can maintain optimal humidity levels, preventing damage to products sensitive to moisture fluctuations, such as cannabis and beef jerky, by incorporating a humidity control product between the two walls, ensuring the product's preservation and usability.

Implementation Method 1

an inner wall that is liquid impermeable and vapor permeable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVapor permeability: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

an outer wall that is liquid impermeable and substantially vapor impermeable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid impermeability:

Data Source

PatentUS11673731B2Method of making an injection molded product packaging having a humidity control material

Publication Date: 2023.06.13 BOVEDA INC

AI summary

The present disclosure, in one embodiment, relates to an injection molded container for holding a product, wherein the container is configured to house a humidity control product that may regulate the relative humidity of the inner body of the container such that the product housed therein may be kept at an optimal humidity.