Packaging Valve Membrane Segmentation for Warpage Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing overpressure valves for packaging containers are complex to produce and have high production costs, while also being susceptible to external influences such as warpage.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a membrane partially or fully arranged on a floating base film, with a frame film and optional cover film, allowing for simpler production, improved functionality, and reduced costs. The valve combines the benefits of injection-molded and film valves with low opening and closing pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the membrane is connected to the base body over a large area, then the valve structure is stable, but the valve becomes susceptible to external influences like warpage and production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into separate components: a base body and a membrane that are not rigidly connected over a large area. Instead, the membrane is held in place by a retaining ring that creates a peripheral connection, segmenting the connection area and reducing the membrane's exposure to warpage while maintaining structural stability.
2Reliability
If the membrane is connected to the base body over a large area, then the valve structure is stable, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between membrane and base body is segmented into a peripheral connection only, rather than a large-area connection. This reduces material usage and simplifies the manufacturing process, lowering production costs while the retaining ring ensures adequate structural stability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the membrane is made freely movable on a floating base film, then production is simplified and costs are reduced, but the membrane may lift off completely
Solution Approach 1:
A retaining ring acts as an intermediary element between the membrane and the base body. This ring holds the membrane in place at its peripheral connection, preventing complete lift-off while allowing the membrane to move freely in the central area, thus maintaining both production simplicity and membrane retention.
4Reliability
If the frame film thickness is greater than membrane thickness, then membrane lifting is reliably achieved, but material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame film is made thicker than the membrane only in the specific region where structural support and membrane retention are needed (the peripheral connection area), while the membrane itself remains thin in the central area where flexibility and low opening pressure are required. This local differentiation of thickness optimizes both performance and material efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve for a packaging container includes at least one base film (10) with an opening (11), at least one frame film (13) encompassing a free region (17), wherein the frame film (13) is connected to the base film (10), wherein at least one membrane (12) is provided, which is arranged on the base film (10) and covers the opening (11), wherein a fluid is provided between the membrane (12) and the base film (10),wherein the membrane (12) is arranged movably within the free region (17) on the base film (10).