Polypropylene Packaging Container with Pressure Relief Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Packaging containers for food and beverages need to be airtight, stable, and lightweight, while allowing users to verify if the container has been opened and accommodating pressure changes without compromising stability.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical can made of polypropylene with an oxygen barrier, a detachable lid with peeling properties, and a pressure relief valve that responds at 60-80 mbar, integrated into the base to prevent excessive bulging, ensuring stability and safety during transport and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the can is made lightweight using thin-walled plastic material, then the weight of packaging is reduced, but the stability and strength of the container deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a plastic shell (polypropylene or similar) with an aluminum foil lid and base. This composite structure allows the main body to be lightweight plastic while the metal components provide enhanced strength and stability where needed, particularly for sealing and pressure resistance. The welded junction between the plastic shell and metal components creates a hybrid structure that balances weight and strength requirements.
2Reliability
If the lid is tightly welded to the casing for airtight sealing, then the airtightness is improved, but the ease of opening by users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sealing function into two distinct parts: a permanent weld between the lid flange and the casing rim that ensures airtight sealing, and a peeling layer on the outer surface of the lid that allows easy removal. This segmentation allows the sealing interface to remain strong while the user interface (outer lid surface) remains easy to open. The peeling layer acts as a sacrificial element that fails in a controlled manner during opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different regions of the lid. The inner flange region has high bonding strength for airtight sealing with the casing, while the outer lid surface has a peeling layer with controlled adhesion that allows easy removal. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between strong sealing and easy opening.
3Reliability
If the base is welded close to the end edge of the shell for maximum sealing, then the airtightness is improved, but the stability under pressure deteriorates due to excessive bulging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a pressure relief valve in advance into the base structure, positioned to activate at a specific pressure threshold (3-5 mbar). This preliminary action prevents excessive pressure buildup that would cause the base to bulge and compromise stability. The valve opens before critical pressure is reached, maintaining both sealing integrity and structural stability under pressure conditions.
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 a lightweight, airtight, and stable packaging container that maintains food freshness, allows easy opening verification, and manages pressure changes effectively without compromising stability, ensuring the product remains fresh and safe.
Implementation Method 1
a cylindrical, in particular a circular cylindrical shell (1) made of a polypropylene, which is preferably provided with an oxygen protection
Implementation Method 2
the can has a pressure relief valve... which, for example, only responds at about 60 to 80 mbar
Implementation Method 3
a reinforcing ring made of polyethylene is welded into the end of the cover... The lid, which is also welded to the shell
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The container has a cylindrical wrapping (1) made of a sealable material, particularly polypropylene. A base (6) is welded in end of the wrapping. A cover (5) is shrink-wrapped in the end of the wrapping that is turned away from base. A ring (9) made of polypropylene is welded to the end of the wrapping that assigned to the cover. The ring forms an inner shell, at which the cover lies close to an edge surface (11). An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing of the container.