Oil Storage Container With Headspace Desiccant for Moisture Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging solutions for moisture-sensitive products suspended in oil face challenges such as contamination, undesired interactions, and limited shelf-life due to direct contact of desiccant materials with the oil, which also increase packaging size and costs.
Innovation Solution
A container design with a desiccant compartment positioned above the product compartment, allowing moisture scavenging without direct contact with the oil, using a desiccant material molded onto the cap or within the headspace.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If desiccant material is placed in direct contact with the oil to scavenge moisture, then moisture scavenging effectiveness is improved, but contamination risks and undesired interactions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (such as a porous barrier layer or carrier material) between the desiccant material and the oil. This intermediary allows moisture to be scavenged from the oil while preventing direct contact between the desiccant and the oil, thus eliminating contamination risks and undesired interactions while maintaining moisture scavenging effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a thin film or shell structure that separates the desiccant material from the oil. This flexible barrier allows moisture vapor to pass through to the desiccant while preventing direct contact between the desiccant and the oil, solving the contradiction between effective moisture scavenging and preventing contamination.
2Reliability
If desiccant material is submerged in the oil, then moisture scavenging capability is enhanced, but packaging size and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the packaging into distinct compartments: one for the oil and another for the desiccant material. This segmentation allows the desiccant to be positioned in the headspace above the oil rather than being submerged in it, reducing the overall packaging volume while maintaining effective moisture scavenging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional arrangement where desiccant is submerged in the oil to a two-dimensional arrangement where desiccant is positioned in the headspace above the oil. This dimensional change allows the desiccant to access moisture from the oil vapor without requiring direct submersion, thereby reducing packaging size.
3Volume of stationary object
If desiccant material is placed above the oil in the headspace, then packaging size is reduced, but moisture scavenging effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the natural convection and vapor pressure dynamics within the packaging. The desiccant material positioned in the headspace scavenges moisture from the oil vapor that rises and circulates within the packaging. This pneumatic approach maintains effective moisture scavenging while keeping the desiccant above the oil, reducing packaging size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor. The desiccant material in the headspace captures moisture from the oil vapor, utilizing the vapor phase to achieve effective moisture scavenging without direct contact with the liquid oil. This phase transition mechanism maintains scavenging effectiveness while reducing packaging volume.
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 design effectively stabilizes moisture-sensitive products by extending shelf-life while minimizing contamination risks and reducing packaging size and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a desiccant material disposed within the desiccant compartment configured to scavenge moisture from the enclosure
Data Source
AI summary
A container (20) for storing moisture-sensitive products includes a body (100) having a base (102), a sidewall (104) extending upwardly from the base and leading to an opening that provides access to an interior of the body; an oil (2) disposed within a product compartment (110) in the interior of the body, the product compartment being that portion of the interior of the body in which the oil is disposed while the body is standing upright on the base in a resting position; a cap (200′) that covers the opening to form an enclosure that includes the product compartment, the enclosure further including a desiccant compartment positioned above and in fluid communication with the product compartment; and a desiccant material (2000) disposed within the desiccant compartment configured to scavenge moisture from the enclosure so as to stabilize moisture sensitive products suspended in the oil without directly contacting the oil when the body is in the resting position.