Vacuum Sealing Lid with Segmented Bellows and Finger-Pressure Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food container lids with bellows mechanisms face issues with off-axis manual pressure application, leading to increased force requirements and potential breakage, and complex vacuum release mechanisms that are difficult to operate in wet or oily environments.
Innovation Solution
A bellows-equipped lid with four resilient members around a pressure plate for smooth off-axis operation and a simplified vacuum release mechanism with a spring-loaded one-way valve that can be opened by applying pressure, allowing easy and reliable vacuum sealing and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a central axially disposed spring is used in the bellows mechanism, then the structure is simple, but frictional interference occurs when off-axis compressive force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The single central spring is segmented into multiple resilient members (at least two, preferably three or four) distributed around the bellows perimeter. This segmentation allows each resilient member to independently accommodate force applied at different locations, eliminating the frictional interference problem caused by off-axis pressure on a single central spring.
2Device complexity
If a projecting member with knob is used for vacuum release, then the mechanism is simple, but it is difficult to operate in wet or oily environments
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping function is extracted from the vacuum release mechanism itself and transferred to the user's finger. The valve member is designed to be directly actuable by finger pressure, eliminating the need for a separate knob or grippable member that would be difficult to operate in wet or oily conditions.
3Ease of operation
If resilient members are distributed around the bellows perimeter, then off-axis pressure is accommodated smoothly, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distributed resilient members serve multiple functions: they provide the restoring force for bellows retraction, accommodate off-axis pressure application, and guide the bellows plate movement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
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 efficient and reliable vacuum sealing and release with reduced force requirements and improved usability in various environments, preventing breakage and contamination.
Implementation Method 1
Once fully compressed and manual pressure is released, the bellows retracts upward through the force of a resilient member such as a spring.
Implementation Method 2
A lid, configured for air-tight sealing of a respective container, is provided with a hand-operated bellows mechanism for evacuating a significant amount of air from the closed container. To achieve such vacuum conditions, the bellows mechanism includes a first one-way valve for enabling air to flow out of the bellows and into the surrounding atmosphere when the bellows is compressed by manual depression of an upper contact surface.
Implementation Method 3
This valve is provided with a resilient member, such as a spring, that is sufficiently resistant to compression such that it can prevent movement of the respective valve even when the food container is under vacuum.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for enabling the efficient evacuation of air within a food container. A bellows-enabled lid fits into a respective container in an air-tight relationship. A bellows mechanism having plural resilient members and dual one-way valves provides efficient manual operation and resulting air evacuation from the container interior. A lid-mounted release valve with associated resilient member enables efficient release of vacuum conditions within the container. Plural ornamental configurations of the container with associated bellows-enabled lid are illustrated.