Vacuum-Indicating Pull Tab for Hot-Filled Container Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hot-filled containers sealed with certain materials can maintain a parabolic shape even after the vacuum is lost due to seal membrane deformation or failure, making it difficult to determine if a vacuum is present or absent within the package.
Innovation Solution
A container closure system featuring a seal membrane and a vacuum-indicating pull tab that extends radially inward from the seal membrane, allowing manipulation to indicate the presence or absence of a vacuum by changing the shape of the seal membrane from concave to convex when the vacuum is lost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the seal membrane is made of certain materials or deforms permanently, then the parabolic shape is maintained even after vacuum loss, but the ability to indicate vacuum integrity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The seal membrane is segmented into two functional parts: a deformable seal membrane that maintains the parabolic shape for sealing integrity, and a separate vacuum-indicating pull tab that provides visual feedback. The pull tab is attached to the seal membrane but can be distinguished separately, allowing the main membrane to retain shape while the tab indicates vacuum status through its own deformation or position changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The pull tab acts as an intermediary element between the vacuum environment and the external observer. It transfers the vacuum status information from the sealed interior to the exterior visible area, allowing users to determine vacuum integrity without compromising the seal membrane's shape retention properties.
2Loss of information
If the seal membrane returns to non-parabolic shape upon vacuum loss, then vacuum status can be indicated, but the seal integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the indication function from the sealing function through the pull tab, the seal membrane can maintain its parabolic shape and sealing integrity while the pull tab independently indicates vacuum status. The pull tab deforms or changes position to signal vacuum loss without requiring the main seal membrane to deform.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the closure system have different functional properties: the seal membrane is designed for shape retention and sealing reliability, while the pull tab is designed for indicating vacuum status. This local differentiation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
3Loss of information
If a vacuum-indicating pull tab is added to the closure system, then vacuum status can be accurately determined, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pull tab serves multiple functions: it acts as a gripping element for opening the package, a vacuum indicator through its deformation or position, and a structural component of the closure system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and minimizes overall system complexity despite adding indication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pull tab provides vacuum indication through its own physical state (deformation, position, or shape changes) in response to vacuum pressure changes, without requiring external sensors, power sources, or complex indication mechanisms. The system uses the existing vacuum pressure to directly manipulate the indicator.
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 accurate determination of vacuum presence or absence within the package by manipulating the pull tab, ensuring the seal membrane's shape change indicates the integrity of the vacuum, preventing premature removal and maintaining seal integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the cooling of the contents in the container causes both hot gas and the contents in the container to condense. This, in turn, causes a vacuum to be formed in the package. The vacuum draws the seal membrane into a concave parabolic shape
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6A~6B
AI summary
A package (10) that includes a container (12) and a container closure (14) having a vacuum-indicating pull tab (30, 130, 230). The container includes a longitudinal axis (A) extending therethrough, a mouth (24), and a sealing surface (26). The container closure includes a seal membrane (28) sealingly and removably coupled to the container sealing surface to seal the container, and the pull tab is configured to extend from the seal membrane. Manipulation of the pull tab provides an indication of the presence or absence of a vacuum in the package.