Pouch Flow Channel Profile for Vacuum Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Evacuable thermoplastic pouches face challenges in evacuating their contents evenly due to flexible walls that can block regions from the vacuum source, leading to incomplete evacuation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates flow channel protuberances or profiles on the inner surfaces of the pouch walls, with components extending at non-zero angles to create channels between the walls, preventing collapse and ensuring continuous fluid communication between the pouch interior and the opening, even under vacuum pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the pouch walls are made flexible to allow evacuation, then the pouch can be collapsed for storage, but the flexible walls block regions from the vacuum source during evacuation
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel is segmented into multiple sections with varying cross-sectional areas. The channel includes a first section with a larger cross-sectional area near the aperture and a second section with a smaller cross-sectional area extending toward the interior, creating zones that manage vacuum distribution and prevent wall collapse at different locations
Solution Approach 2:
The flow channel structure is designed with non-uniform properties along its length. The cross-sectional area varies from the first section to the second section, with the ratio of areas being at least 1:2, creating localized characteristics that optimize both vacuum flow and structural support at different positions
2Reliability
If flow channels are created to prevent wall contact, then evacuation completeness improves, but the channel structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel structure is integrated directly into one of the pouch walls, merging the channel function with the wall structure itself. This eliminates the need for separate internal support structures or attachments, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining evacuation effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The pouch wall serves multiple functions: it provides structural containment and simultaneously houses the flow channel for vacuum evacuation. The wall acts as both the barrier and the evacuation pathway, reducing the need for additional components
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
This solution maintains open flow channels during evacuation, allowing for effective removal of gases while minimizing blockage, thus extending the freshness of contents like food by ensuring uniform vacuum distribution within the pouch.
Implementation Method 1
Evacuable thermoplastic pouches have been designed to work with a vacuum source to allow storage of contents under a vacuum
Data Source
AI summary
A pouch includes first and second pouch walls that define an interior of the pouch, and an opening to the interior of the pouch is provided in at least one of the first and second pouch walls. A flow channel profile is disposed on an inner surface of the first pouch wall, and a complementary groove is disposed on an inner surface of the second pouch wall. The complementary groove releasably engages the flow channel profile so as to define a flow channel between the first and second pouch walls. The flow channel profile extends between the opening and a portion of an interior of the pouch that is spaced from the opening. When the flow channel profile is releasably engaged with the complementary groove, a tip of the flow channel profile contacts a surface the complementary groove, and a surface of the flow channel profile that is adjacent to the tip also contacts a surface of the complementary groove.