Vacuum Container Flexible Diaphragm Immobilizes Contents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage containers fail to maintain a complete vacuum, leading to food spoilage and damage during storage due to air exposure and movement within the container, resulting in significant consumer waste and quality degradation.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum storage container with a rigid or semi-rigid body, a check valve, and a lid featuring a flexible, gas-impermeable elastomeric diaphragm that conforms to the contents under vacuum pressure, immobilizing them and preventing air exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vacuum is drawn in the container to remove air, then storage time is extended and food spoilage is prevented, but the space between stored items and the lid is not eliminated, allowing items to move about and collide during container movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible diaphragm that forms part of the lid structure. When vacuum is drawn, atmospheric pressure pushes the diaphragm inward, allowing it to conform to the upper surfaces of stored items. This flexible film eliminates empty space and immobilizes items without requiring rigid structural modifications, thus preventing both spoilage and physical damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm is designed to be dynamic rather than static - it moves inward when vacuum is applied and can conform to different item configurations. This dynamic response allows the same structure to adapt to various storage scenarios, maintaining both vacuum integrity and item protection regardless of what is stored.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional rigid containers are used, then structural stability is maintained, but air space remains between items and lid, allowing movement and damage during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The lid incorporates a flexible diaphragm that can deform to eliminate void spaces while the rigid or semi-rigid container body maintains overall structural stability. This combination allows the container to remain stable during handling while the flexible diaphragm prevents item movement by conforming to their surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid is segmented into a rigid outer structure and a flexible diaphragm component. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specialized function - the rigid structure provides structural integrity and sealing, while the flexible diaphragm adapts to contents and prevents movement.
3Ease of manufacture
If rigid lids are used in vacuum containers, then manufacturing precision is easier to achieve, but the lid cannot conform to stored items, leaving empty space that allows item movement
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible diaphragm is manufactured as a separate component that can be attached to the rigid lid structure. This approach maintains ease of manufacture for the rigid portions while adding conformability through the flexible film, avoiding the need for complex molded lids that attempt to pre-adapt to specific item shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible diaphragm performs the adaptation function automatically through its inherent flexibility - it self-conforms to the stored items when vacuum pressure is applied, eliminating the need for pre-programmed shapes or complex manufacturing processes to achieve item-specific fitting.
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 effectively extends storage time, prevents freezer burn, and minimizes damage to stored items by creating a complete vacuum and immobilizing contents, thereby reducing waste and maintaining product quality.
Implementation Method 1
When a vacuum is drawn in the container, i.e., air is removed from beneath the diaphragm, the flexible diaphragm is pushed inward by atmospheric pressure
Implementation Method 2
a check valve structured to control the flow of gas therethrough
Implementation Method 3
a vacuum is drawn within the container through the check valve using a vacuum pump
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum storage container having a container body, a check valve and a lid with an outer rim surrounding a diaphragm. A vacuum pump is engagable with the check valve to remove air from the interior of the container to create a vacuum in the container. The diaphragm is pushed inward by atmospheric forces upon removal of the air until the diaphragm touches and conforms to at least upper exposed surfaces of the contents of the container. The storage container aids in preventing degradation of the contents of the container by maintaining the contents free from the degrading effects of air and by substantially immobilizing the contents during movement of the container to protect the contents from breakage and bruising.