Pressure-Relief Valve Wall Indentations for Material Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure relief valves for food packages contribute to environmental footprint and require excessive material usage without compromising functionality or mechanical stability.
Innovation Solution
A pressure relief valve design featuring indentations on the outer circumferential wall, such as axially extending grooves and ribs, reduces material requirements while maintaining mechanical stability and efficiency, allowing for easy integration with existing machinery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the circumferential wall is made with sufficient material thickness, then mechanical stability is ensured, but material usage increases and environmental footprint grows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing indentations (grooves or recesses) at specific locations on the circumferential wall rather than uniformly reducing wall thickness. These localized modifications create stiffening structures that enhance mechanical stability only where needed, while the rest of the wall maintains minimal sufficient thickness, thereby reducing overall material usage without compromising strength
Solution Approach 2:
The indentations on the circumferential wall create curved or non-linear structural features that enhance mechanical stability. The curved geometry of the indentations provides structural reinforcement similar to how ribbed structures work, allowing the valve to maintain strength with less material compared to a completely thick-walled design
2Quantity of substance
If the circumferential wall is made thinner to reduce material usage, then environmental footprint is reduced, but mechanical stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By concentrating material only where structurally necessary and removing it from non-critical areas through indentations, the design achieves optimal material distribution. This allows the circumferential wall to be thinner overall while maintaining mechanical stability through strategically placed structural reinforcements
Solution Approach 2:
The circumferential wall is segmented into regions with different thicknesses or structural characteristics through the indentations. This segmentation creates a heterogeneous structure where material is optimized for each local functional requirement, achieving overall mechanical stability with reduced total material usage
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 design minimizes material usage while ensuring functional integrity and mechanical stability, supporting efficient packaging processes without additional machinery investments.
Implementation Method 1
with a sealing liquid between the main body and the valve membrane
Implementation Method 2
If there is an overpressure within the package, the gas communicating through the opening of the bottom lifts the disc
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~10
AI summary
According to an aspect of the present invention, a pressure-relief valve is provided, the valve comprising a cup shaped main body (1) with a bottom (11) and a circumferential wall (12) to be fastened to a flexible package material. The bottom has at least one through hole (14) forming a passage through the main body. A valve membrane lies against the main body on a package side in a region around the through hole(s) (14), with a sealing liquid between the main body and the valve membrane. The valve membrane thereby covers the at least one through hole (14). The circumferential wall (12) has, on its outside, a plurality of indentations (71).