High-Outflow One-Way Valves for Rapid Flexible Package Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure relief valves are ineffective for rapid evacuation of large volumetric amounts of air or gas from flexible packages, and they fail to prevent ambient air from entering the package.
Innovation Solution
The development of high-outflow one-way pressure relief valves with a unique structure that allows atypically large volumetric gas outflow while blocking gas inflow, featuring a base layer with a vent and a cover layer with an unsecured region that flexes to enable rapid gas evacuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing pressure relief valves are used, then gas pressure relief is achieved, but gas evacuation rate is limited and ambient air can enter the package
Solution Approach 1:
The valve employs a flexible membrane that dynamically changes its state between open and closed positions based on pressure differential. During gas evacuation, the membrane deflects to allow high-flow passage; when pressure equalizes, the membrane returns to seal the opening, preventing ambient air ingress. This dynamic response enables both rapid evacuation and reliable protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve utilizes a flexible membrane as the core flow control element. This thin film structure provides dual functionality: when pressurized, it deflects to create a large effective opening for rapid gas evacuation; when pressure differential decreases, it returns to its original position to seal the opening, preventing ambient air entry. The flexibility of the membrane enables both high productivity and reliability.
2Volume of stationary object
If package volume is minimized for compact storage, then stacking and storage efficiency improve, but trapped air causes package swelling and occupies excessive space
Solution Approach 1:
The valve extracts and removes trapped air and gases from the package interior through the flexible membrane opening. By providing a dedicated evacuation pathway, the valve enables removal of harmful air pockets that would otherwise cause package swelling and excessive volume occupation, allowing compact storage and stacking.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve converts the harmful effect of trapped air expansion into a beneficial evacuation process. Instead of allowing air to swell the package and occupy excessive space, the valve provides a controlled pathway for air to escape, transforming the potential harm into an opportunity to achieve compact package volume for efficient storage and handling.
3Productivity
If existing pressure relief valves allow gas outflow, then pressure relief is achieved, but the valves cannot block ambient air inflow
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane acts as an intelligent intermediary between the package interior and ambient environment. It mediates gas flow by being permeable during evacuation (when pressure differential drives it open) while becoming impermeable during normal conditions (when it seals the opening). This intermediary structure enables high-productivity evacuation while preventing harmful ambient air contamination.
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
These valves enable rapid contraction of flexible packages, facilitating efficient stacking, storing, and handling while protecting the contents from ambient air, thereby improving packaging efficiency and product preservation.
Implementation Method 1
a cover layer of flexible film overlying the base layer. Spaced apart portions of the cover layer are secured with respect to the base layer providing for a region of the cover layer between the spaced apart portions which is unsecured to the base layer
Data Source
AI summary
High-outflow one-way pressure relief valves with structure unexpectedly providing high-outflow gas evacuation from a package are disclosed. Pressure relief valves of the types described herein may be applied to a product package with a flexible wall or walls, for example a package containing food products, to allow gas to escape from the package while preventing entry of ambient air into the package. The valve structure provides for a high-outflow valve which opens at a low pressure differential between pressure within the package and pressure outside the package to allow gas existent in the package to be rapidly evacuated from the package while preventing air inflow into the package. The valve enables a package to be rapidly compacted for efficient stacking, storing, palletizing, transporting, displaying of the packaged goods at a point of sale, or any other purpose for which efficient package size is wanted while also preserving and maintaining the quality of the packaged product.