Pouch Valve With Pleated Thermoplastic Check Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reclosable thermoplastic pouches face challenges in maintaining a vacuum and preventing air ingress, as existing designs often lead to leakage or inefficient air evacuation, especially when storing perishables or gases.
Innovation Solution
A pouch design featuring first and second sidewalls sealed to define an opening with a resealable closure mechanism, including a channel and pleated member that provides fluid communication between the interior and exterior, using protruding surfaces or pleated thermoplastic members to create a check valve effect, allowing air to escape while preventing external air from entering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a reclosable pouch is sealed to maintain vacuum, then air ingress is prevented, but air evacuation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism is segmented into a first closure element and a second closure element that can be independently positioned. The first closure element seals the opening when engaged with the second closure element, while the second closure element can be independently positioned to allow access to the interior. This segmentation enables the pouch to maintain sealing integrity when closed while allowing easy access for air evacuation when opened.
2Ease of operation
If a check valve is added to allow air escape, then air evacuation is improved, but sealing integrity deteriorates due to potential leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The second closure element functions as a self-regulating check valve mechanism. When the pouch interior is pressurized, the second closure element is automatically forced into engagement with the first closure element, closing the valve and preventing air ingress. When the pouch is evacuated or needs venting, the pressure differential allows the second closure element to be easily opened for air escape. This self-service mechanism maintains sealing integrity while enabling air evacuation without requiring additional active components.
3Reliability
If the closure mechanism is made complex to enable vacuum maintenance, then sealing integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism utilizes the flexibility of the pouch sidewalls and closure elements to achieve vacuum maintenance. The first and second closure elements are designed as flexible components that can be heat-sealed to the sidewalls and that flex during operation. The second closure element acts as a flexible check valve that responds to pressure differentials. This approach maintains vacuum integrity through simple flexible components rather than complex rigid mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while ensuring reliable sealing.
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 design effectively maintains a vacuum within the pouch by allowing pressurized air to escape while keeping external air out, thereby extending the freshness of contents by ensuring airtight sealing and efficient air management.
Implementation Method 1
A pouch design featuring first and second sidewalls sealed to define an opening with a resealable closure mechanism, including a channel and pleated member that provides fluid communication between the interior and exterior, using protruding surfaces or pleated thermoplastic members to create a check valve effect, allowing air to escape while preventing external air from entering.
Implementation Method 2
At least one protruding surface is disposed on the inner surface of the first sidewall between the closure mechanism and the opening to sealingly engage the inner surface of the second sidewall to form an airtight seal therebetween.
Data Source
AI summary
A pouch with a valve includes first and second pouch sidewalls sealed to one another to define an opening. A resealable closure mechanism is attached to inner surfaces of the first and second sidewalls proximate the opening to define a pouch interior opposite the opening. A channel extends from the interior to the opening between a section of the first closure element and the first sidewall. A pleated thermoplastic member is sealingly disposed in the channel and has an aperture disposed through the member. A fluid path may provide direct fluid communication between the interior and an exterior of the pouch, wherein the fluid path passes through an edge of the pouch defined by at least one of the first or second pouch sidewalls. A valve is sealingly disposed in the fluid path, wherein the valve comprises a pleated thermoplastic member attached to at least one of the first or second pouch sidewalls and having an aperture disposed through the pleated thermoplastic member to provide fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the pouch.