Vacuum Food Container Lid with Visual Pressure Indicator Profile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum containers for food preservation lack a display device or manometer to indicate the presence and level of negative pressure, making it difficult for users to determine if a vacuum is achieved inside the container.
Innovation Solution
A height-adjustable sealing profile on the lid that moves in response to pressure changes, allowing the inner area of the lid to shift from an upper position at atmospheric pressure to a lower position under negative pressure, providing visual indication of vacuum presence and level, while maintaining a high sealing tightness through deformation and design features like nubs or beads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vacuum storage container is sealed airtight with a lid and valve, then vacuum can be created inside the container to extend shelf life, but there is no way to determine whether vacuum is present or its strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual indicators (color changes or position changes of the inner lid area) to indicate the presence and strength of vacuum. The inner lid area moves to a lower position under negative pressure, providing visual feedback to users about vacuum status without requiring complex electronic displays or manometers.
2Loss of information
If a display device or manometer is added to indicate vacuum status, then users can determine vacuum presence, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container structure itself serves as the indicator mechanism. The inner lid area's position change under vacuum pressure directly provides the information needed, eliminating the need for separate display devices, sensors, or electronic components. The system uses its own operational state (lid position) to convey information.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible sealing profile acts as an intermediary that translates the invisible vacuum pressure into a visible position change of the inner lid area. This mechanical translation allows users to observe vacuum status through simple visual inspection rather than requiring complex measurement devices.
3Strength
If the sealing profile is made thicker for structural strength, then durability improves, but sealing effectiveness against the container rim decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing profile has different wall thicknesses at different locations: thicker at the top for structural strength and durability, and thinner at the sealing surface adjacent to the container rim for better sealing effectiveness. This local variation in thickness allows both structural integrity and effective sealing to be achieved simultaneously.
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
Enables users to easily verify the presence and intensity of negative pressure inside the container, ensuring effective food preservation with enhanced sealing and simplicity in design and production.
Implementation Method 1
air can be extracted from the closed container in order to obtain a lower pressure (vacuum) inside the container, which is less than atmospheric pressure
Implementation Method 2
the sealing profile, in particular the sealing surface adjacent to the inner rim of the container, has knobs, ridges, or other features
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a container for storing food, having an upper horizontal lid, the outer edge of which has a sealing profile all the way around, said sealing profile contacting the top edge of the container when the container is closed. The lid has an opening with a valve, through which air can be sucked out of the closed container to obtain a lower pressure (negative pressure) inside the container, said pressure being lower than atmospheric pressure. The lid has an interior region which is completely surrounded by a lid edge, wherein the lid interior region is attached to the lid edge by a flexible profile extending all the way around, said profile forming a height-adjustable support of the lid interior region, wherein if negative pressure is not present, the profile keeps the lid interior region in an upper position and if negative pressure is present, the profile allows the lid interior region to move to a lower position.