Humidity Control Valve for Perishable Food Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packaging designs for perishable foods and produce that restrict Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) fail to control humidity independently, leading to undesirable moisture loss and weight reduction, which can cause water damage and microbiological growth, and affect the shelf life and saleability of products.
Innovation Solution
A humidity control valve using a laminated moisture-sensitive nylon film and non-moisture-sensitive PET film that opens or closes an orifice based on humidity levels, allowing air exchange with the outside or a desiccant sachet to maintain optimal humidity within the package without affecting the OTR restriction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If large perforations are made in the package to vent humidity, then humidity control is improved, but OTR restriction is compromised and weight loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specialized humidity control valve with specific local properties (moisture-sensitive film) at the vent location, while the rest of the package maintains its OTR-restricting properties. This localized approach allows humidity venting without compromising overall package integrity or causing excessive weight loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of the vent opening by making it dynamically responsive to humidity levels. The moisture-sensitive film causes the valve to open or close based on local humidity conditions, allowing the package to maintain OTR restriction while venting excess humidity only when necessary.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If OTR is restricted to extend shelf life, then shelf life is improved, but humidity control is worsened leading to condensation and microbiological growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control through the moisture-sensitive film that continuously monitors humidity levels inside the package. When humidity reaches a critical level, the film responds by opening the valve to vent excess moisture, then closes when humidity decreases, creating a self-regulating system that prevents condensation and microbiological growth while maintaining extended shelf life.
Solution Approach 2:
The humidity control valve is self-actuating and requires no external power or control systems. The moisture-sensitive film automatically responds to humidity changes within the package, opening or closing the vent as needed, allowing the package to self-regulate its internal humidity environment.
3Quantity of substance
If water misters are used to control atmospheric humidity, then humidity is improved, but water damage and microbiological growth risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding moisture to the package environment through water misters, the invention extracts excess humidity from the package interior through the humidity control valve. This removal approach achieves humidity control without introducing free-standing water that could cause damage or promote microbial growth.
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 effectively extends the shelf life of perishable products by maintaining optimal humidity levels, preventing weight loss and water damage, and reducing the risk of microbiological growth, while ensuring the OTR restriction remains intact.
Implementation Method 1
A device made of a moisture sensitive film or material laminated to a non-moisture-sensitive film or material can be used as an economical way to control humidity in a sealed package
Implementation Method 2
The level of humidity causes the valve to mechanically change shape and thus open or close an orifice
Data Source
AI summary
A humidity controlled package that uses a humidity sensitive valve that opens and closes an opening to control a humidity in the package. The package has a package holding area inside the package. The humidity level in the package controls the valve to open to allow air flow between an inside of the valve and an outside of the valve, and close to prevent air flow between the inside and outside of the valve. At least part of the valve is in the package. In one embodiment, the package is vented when the humidity value gets higher than a setpoint. In another embodiment, a sachet of dessicant is opened by the humidity level.