Vacuum container assembly and method of use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum containers made of plastic deteriorate over time, leading to cracking and loss of vacuum, which compromises food preservation.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum container made of glass and stainless steel with a silicone gasket and valve system that forms an air-tight seal, allowing for the generation and maintenance of a partial pressure to preserve food.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plastic is used for vacuum container construction, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to cracking and deterioration over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials construction where the container body is made of glass (providing durability and non-porosity) while the lid is made of metal (providing strength and vacuum seal capability). This composite approach combines the advantages of different materials to achieve both reliability and manufacturability, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.
2Device complexity
If plastic is used for vacuum container construction, then device complexity is reduced, but durability worsens due to deterioration leading to cracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials with glass container body and metal lid to achieve long-term durability without cracking, while maintaining relatively simple device structure through the use of a gasket-based sealing system and straightforward valve mechanism.
3Device complexity
If a simple sealing system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of vacuum seal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible gasket (typically silicone or rubber) that forms the sealing interface between the lid and container body. This flexible element can deform to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion, maintaining reliable vacuum sealing while keeping the overall device structure simple and easy to manufacture.
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 provides a durable, nonporous container that maintains vacuum integrity, ensuring effective food preservation without cracking or deterioration.
Implementation Method 1
The valve is configured to fluidly couple a vacuum generator to the interior space to generate a partial pressure within the container
Implementation Method 2
The gasket engages the perimeter wall upon positioning of the cover upon the container to form an air-tight seal between the metal plate and the perimeter wall
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum container assembly for storage of food includes a container, which comprises glass material, and a cover, which is sized complementarily to an open top of the container, through which food can be added to the container. The cover closes the open top upon positioning of the cover on an upper edge of a perimeter wall of the container with a gasket of the cover engaging the perimeter wall. The gasket is attached to a lower surface of a metal plate of the cover and extends circumferentially around the metal plate proximate to its perimeter edge. A valve, which is attached to and which extends through the metal plate, selectively allows passage of air through the metal plate. The valve fluidly couples the container to a vacuum generator to generate a partial pressure within the container, thereby sealingly engaging the gasket to the perimeter wall.