Oil-less Pressure Relief Valve with Integrated Filter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing one-way pressure relief valves require a sealing lubricant for optimal operation, which adds time and cost, and are prone to fouling by fine particulate matter, potentially allowing air to enter the package and damaging the product.

Innovation Solution

A one-way pressure relief valve design that integrates a filter to prevent particulate matter from entering and includes a gas-impervious structure with a flexible seal and adhesive-like material layer that does not require a lubricant for operation, ensuring proper closure and preventing air infiltration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a sealing lubricant is added to the pressure relief valve, then the valve operation is facilitated, but the process time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve closing operationVSAvoidprocess time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the sealing lubricant from the system by designing a valve that relies on the natural elasticity and memory of the polymer membrane to achieve sealing, eliminating the need for lubricant application steps and reducing process time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The polymer membrane serves itself by using its inherent elastic properties to create the sealing action without requiring external lubrication, making the system self-sufficient and reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a sealing lubricant is added to the pressure relief valve, then the valve operation is facilitated, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve closing operationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the sealing lubricant component entirely, removing the associated material costs, application equipment, and quality control requirements, thereby reducing manufacturing cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter from lubricant-dependent friction reduction to elastic memory-driven sealing, using the intrinsic properties of the polymer material to achieve the same functional result without additional materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the pressure relief valve is placed inside the package, then product freshness is maintained, but the valve may become fouled by particulate matter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct freshness protectionVSAvoidparticulate fouling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harm of particulate matter into a benefit by designing a membrane structure where particles cannot interfere with the sealing mechanism, and the membrane's elastic properties ensure that even if particles contact the surface, they cannot prevent the membrane from returning to its sealed position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Reliability

If the pressure relief valve is placed inside the package, then atmospheric gases are sealed out, but the valve may come into contact with the product

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas sealingVSAvoidproduct contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible polymer membrane that can be positioned inside the package to provide gas sealing while the membrane's thin-film structure and elastic properties prevent direct contact and contamination of the product, allowing the valve to function as a barrier without compromising product integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 allows for effective pressure relief without the need for a lubricant, preventing fouling and ensuring the product's freshness by maintaining a sealed environment, thus enhancing the operational efficiency and quality of the valve.

Implementation Method 1

the release film in contact with the adhesive-like material creating a surface attraction between the release film and the adhesive-like material to close the pressure relief valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface attraction: Van der Waals Force

Implementation Method 2

A filter material layer may be provided between the intermediate layer and the base

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS8636034B2Oil-less and wetted pressure relief valves having an integrated filter

Publication Date: 2014.01.28 PLITEK LLC

AI summary

A one-way pressure relief valve having an integrated filter. One-way pressure relief valves may be applied to a product package to evacuate gas from the package. The integrated filter prevents materials within the package from interfering with closure or operation of the pressure relief valve. Certain pressure relief valve embodiments can be configured for optimal valve operation without need for a wetting agent while other pressure relief valve embodiments operate optimally with a wetting agent.