Receiving Container Inserts for Low-Air Flowable Material Reblending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal gap fillers and other flowable materials separate into individual phases over time, leading to reduced homogeneity and impaired properties due to air entrainment during reblending, limiting their usable period and increasing reject rates.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a receiving container with a removable lid and an insertable insert that reduces the air-filled head space volume by 30-70%, followed by rotating the container to reblend the phases, maintaining the material's quality by minimizing air introduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the material is stirred by hand or by machine to restore homogeneity, then the phases are reblended, but air is introduced into the material matrix which reduces thermal conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the air-filled head space from the receiving container before reblending. By withdrawing air from the container and replacing it with an inert gas or vacuum, the harmful air entrainment during stirring is eliminated while still allowing mechanical mixing to restore homogeneity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates an inert atmosphere within the receiving container by replacing air with inert gas (such as nitrogen or argon) or by applying vacuum. This inert environment prevents air from being incorporated into the material during the reblending process, thereby maintaining thermal conductivity while achieving phase homogeneity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the material is left undisturbed to maintain quality, then air entrainment is minimized, but phase separation continues over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by creating an inert atmosphere or vacuum condition before the reblending process begins. This pre-preparation ensures that when mechanical mixing is subsequently applied, no air can be entrained into the material, thus allowing effective reblending without quality degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the harmful mechanical action of air incorporation during stirring with a controlled inert gas introduction or vacuum application. This substitution allows the mechanical mixing necessary for homogeneity while eliminating the adverse effect of air entrainment through a different physical mechanism
3Stability of the object's composition
If the material is transferred to a different container for reblending, then mixing effectiveness may be improved, but cost and compatibility issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the original receiving container multi-functional by equipping it with an integrated air removal system (vacuum port or inert gas inlet). This allows the same container to serve both for initial material storage and for controlled reblending operations, eliminating the need for separate mixing containers and reducing overall system cost
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary system (vacuum pump or inert gas supply) that mediates between the material and the external environment. This intermediary allows effective reblending to occur within the original container by controlling the atmospheric conditions, thus maintaining container compatibility while achieving mixing effectiveness
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 method effectively reblends separated phases while preserving the material's thermal conductivity and processability, extending its usable life and reducing reject rates without transferring the material to a different container.
Implementation Method 1
rotating the receiving container about at least one axis of rotation during a time interval DT to effect reblending of the phases of the flowable material
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of reblending at least two phases of a flowable material, wherein the flowable material is disposed in a receiving container and wherein the receiving container comprises a receiving volume for the flowable material as well as a removable lid by means of which the receiving volume can be closed in a sealed manner and wherein an air-filled head space exists within the receiving volume between the flowable material received in the receiving volume and the lid; as well as to the use in such a method of a receiving container having an insertable insert.