One-Piece Active Element for Moisture Trapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active canisters for storing moisture-sensitive goods are complex to manufacture, prone to leakage, and can contaminate stored items due to loose packing and potential misalignment during filling, leading to interference issues during high-speed filling operations.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece active element made of a polymer blend with intersecting walls and recesses, designed for easy injection molding, providing an increased active surface for trapping and releasing substances without the need for filling with active agent particles, and featuring a roundish shape for easy orientation-free insertion into containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional two-piece canisters are used with loose packing of active agent particles, then the active element can be filled with adsorbent particles, but the canister may leak and contaminate stored goods due to potential impairment of the attaching connection between body and cap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the canister body and cap into a single integrated piece formed by injection molding. This eliminates the separate attaching connection between body and cap that could impair or leak, while maintaining the functional capacity to hold active agent particles. The single-piece structure inherently prevents the detachment issues that plague two-piece designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a polymer blend material that combines the structural properties needed for canister integrity with the functional properties for active agent containment. This composite material approach allows the single-piece structure to maintain both mechanical strength and sealing properties without requiring separate components.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional two-piece canisters are manufactured, then the canister can be assembled from body and cap, but numerous manufacturing steps are required including transfer to filling unit, arrangement in specific orientation, and precise cap placement
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the canister body and cap into a single molded piece, the patent eliminates multiple manufacturing steps including transfer operations, orientation arrangements, and cap placement operations. The single-piece design allows the entire canister to be formed in one injection molding cycle, dramatically reducing manufacturing time and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the manufacturing process into a single integrated operation rather than multiple sequential steps. The injection molding process simultaneously forms the entire canister structure including what would traditionally be separate body and cap components, eliminating the need for assembly operations.
3Reliability
If permeable membranes are fixedly attached to canister body by welding resin components, then the active agent particles are contained, but the heat treatment weakens the canister and compromises its integrity and permeability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the membrane attachment function into the single-piece molded structure. The membrane is incorporated during the injection molding process itself, eliminating the need for subsequent welding or heat treatment operations that would compromise canister integrity. The structural and sealing functions are combined in one manufacturing step.
4Ease of operation
If cylindrical canisters with bevelled edges are used, then the canister can be inserted into container, but a defined orientation is still required which leads to queuing in high-speed filling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a substantially spherical shape for the canister. This curved, orientation-independent geometry allows the canister to be inserted into the container from any orientation without requiring alignment or definition of specific insertion axes. The spherical form eliminates the queuing problems associated with oriented insertion of cylindrical designs.
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
Facilitates simple and cost-effective manufacturing, reduces leakage risks, enhances absorption kinetics, and ensures smooth high-speed filling operations by eliminating the need for precise orientation and minimizing contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer blend with at least one active agent that is adapted to trap and/or release a gaseous or liquid substance, especially water vapor or oxygen
Implementation Method 2
providing an increased active surface for trapping and releasing substances
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~6b
AI summary
Active element 20 for trapping and/or releasing a gaseous or liquid substance comprising a solid body 1 which is enveloped by an outer boundary surface S and which consists of an active material adapted to trap and/or release a gaseous or liquid substance, wherein the outer boundary surface S has an overall roundish, preferably round shape. The active element 20 is manufactured by injection moulding and can be contained within a container 40.