Reusable Pouch Air Valve With Suction Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sealed zipper bags with integrated air valves are non-reusable and costly, leading to environmental concerns and increased fabrication costs due to the fixed attachment of air valves, which are discarded after use.
Innovation Solution
A detachable pouch air valve system comprising a hollow tube with a central passage and first and second suction plates that encircle the tube, allowing for repeated use on different sealed pouches while maintaining air-tightness through coupling of the plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air valve is fixedly fastened to the zipper bag by bonding, then air-tightness is improved, but the air valve becomes non-reusable and fabrication cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air valve system is divided into separate components: the air valve body and the zipper bag are not permanently bonded but can be detached. The suction plates are separable from the air valve, allowing the air valve to be reused on different bags while maintaining sealing through the suction mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables recovery and reuse of the air valve component. Instead of discarding the entire air valve assembly with the bag, the air valve can be detached and reused on subsequent bags, reducing material waste and fabrication costs while maintaining functional integrity.
2Reliability
If the air valve is fixedly fastened to the zipper bag by bonding, then air-tightness is improved, but environmental concern increases due to waste
Solution Approach 1:
The air valve system is divided into separate components that can be detached and reused. The suction plates separate from the air valve body, allowing the valve to be recovered and reused on multiple bags, reducing waste while maintaining sealing functionality through the suction mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables recovery of the air valve component for repeated use on multiple bags. Only the zipper bags are discarded after single use, while the expensive and functional air valve is recovered and reused, significantly reducing material waste and environmental impact.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the air valve is made detachable using suction plates, then reusability is improved, but air-tightness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses suction (negative pressure) to create the bonding force between the suction plates and the air valve. The suction plates are drawn onto the air valve by atmospheric pressure differential, creating a strong yet detachable connection that maintains air-tightness while enabling reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction mechanism allows dynamic control of the bonding strength. By adjusting the suction force, the connection between plates and air valve can be strengthened for sealing purposes or weakened for detachment, providing adaptability while maintaining reliability during operation.
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 detachable pouch air valve system enables repeated use on various pouches, reducing environmental impact and fabrication costs while ensuring desired air-tightness and efficient air suction or gas injection.
Implementation Method 1
The first suction plate and second suction plate respectively encircle the outer wall of the hollow tube and suck each other
Implementation Method 2
The air valve fills and seals the central passage
Data Source
AI summary
A pouch air valve includes a hollow tube, a first suction plate, a second suction plate and an air valve. The hollow tube has a central passage running through two sides thereof. The air valve fills and seals the central passage. The first and second suction plates encircle the outer wall of the hollow tube and suck the sealed pouch respectively to couple each other. A method for using includes the following steps: preparing a pliable sealed pouch and forming on the sealed pouch an aperture smaller than suction areas of the first and second suction plates; running the hollow tube through the aperture and positioning the first and second suction plates at two sides of the sealed pouch to couple each other. Air can be sucked out from the sealed pouch for vacuuming or fresh-keeping gas can be injected into the sealed pouch to meet requirements.