Flexible Laminate Vent Valve for Low-Pressure Gas Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing one-way pressure-release valves in flexible multilayer laminates are unreliable during the packaging life cycle, have insufficient output capacity for products with high off-gassing rates, and suffer from oil floating issues during laminate reeling due to suboptimal design of gas release capacity and liquid chamber configuration.
Innovation Solution
A flexible multilayer laminate with integrated one-way pressure-release valves featuring a cavity with liquid, where a first oriented polymer layer is sealed by an adhesive pattern with adhesive-free regions around perforations, and a second polymer layer forms an inflatable outlet tube that disconnects under pressure, allowing gas communication in one direction with a reduced liquid amount to prevent oil floating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a one-way pressure-release valve is integrated in the flexible package structure, then overpressure issues can be avoided and gas venting is enabled, but the valve may fail to prevent air ingress under negative pressure differentials or have insufficient output capacity for high off-gassing products
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is segmented into distinct functional zones: a liquid reservoir separated from the gas flow path, a defined channel with specific geometry, and a membrane structure. This segmentation allows the liquid to provide sealing under negative pressure while the channel geometry ensures adequate gas venting capacity under positive pressure, resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the valve structure have specialized properties: the liquid reservoir provides sealing function, the channel provides controlled flow, and the membrane provides selective opening/closing. This local differentiation of qualities enables the valve to simultaneously achieve high reliability across varying pressure conditions and sufficient gas release capacity.
2Reliability
If a liquid film is used in the valve channel to prevent air backflow, then sealing under negative pressure is achieved, but oil floating may occur during laminate reeling due to excessive liquid amount
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using excessive liquid that causes floating, the invention applies partial action by providing just enough liquid in the reservoir to form a sealing meniscus in the channel. This controlled amount of liquid achieves adequate sealing performance under negative pressure while preventing harmful oil floating during manufacturing and handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid sealing mechanism replicates the function of a traditional liquid seal but in a controlled, miniaturized form within the valve structure. The liquid in the reservoir creates a meniscus that copies the sealing effect of larger liquid seals without the associated problems of excess liquid movement and floating during reeling.
3Productivity
If the valve is designed with high gas release capacity, then off-gassing products can be packaged immediately without degassing, but the valve opening pressure may be too high for low-pressure applications
Solution Approach 1:
The valve design allows parameter optimization where the channel geometry and liquid properties can be adjusted to achieve the desired opening pressure. By changing parameters such as channel width, length, and liquid viscosity, the valve can be tuned to open at low pressure differentials while still providing high gas release capacity through the optimized channel cross-section.
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 reliable and reproducible low-opening-pressure valves with high output capacity, reducing the need for excessive oil and preventing oil floating during reeling, effectively managing pressure differentials and off-gassing in packaging applications.
Implementation Method 1
the one-way valve that prevents the back flow of air into the package must be able to withstand this internal vacuum without failing to prevent the ingress of oxygen
Implementation Method 2
having a liquid disposed in between the first and second oriented polymer layers
Implementation Method 3
if overpressure occurs in the package, the adhesive-free centre zone can freely bulge outward, forming a channel
Implementation Method 4
permit gaseous communication in one direction, the gas entering through the at least one perforation, into the cavity comprising liquid travelling through the liquid and exiting through the inflatable tube
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is related to flexible multilayer laminates having an improved integrated, one-way pressure-release valve for use in a sealed container for packing gas-producing products. The pressure-release valve is partly disconnected from the rest of the laminate, forming an inflatable outlet tube with at least one large outlet opening and lifting off from the laminate under increased pressure in the pack.The one- way pressure-release valve allows for pressure-release at low minimum opening pressure in a reliable and reproducible way.