Vapor-Permeable Soap Container for Drying and Leak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional soap bar containers are heavy, bulky, and impermeable, leading to soggy soap and reduced lifespan due to inability to dry, and often leak during travel or recreational activities.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, space-saving container with vapor-permeable layers made from flexible laminar sheets, such as polyether-based thermoplastic urethane coated fabrics, that allows water vapor to escape while keeping bulk liquids in, featuring a fold-top closure and semi-rigid structural members for a liquid-tight barrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional resilient materials and thick container walls are used, then the container provides good protection and structural integrity, but the container becomes heavy and bulky with fixed exterior volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible thin film materials (lamination layers) instead of traditional thick resilient materials. The container is constructed from multiple thin lamination layers including outer and inner layers that can flex and collapse, providing protection while maintaining lightweight and compact properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite lamination structures combining multiple material layers with different properties. The lamination includes outer layer, inner layer, and sealing layers bonded together, creating a composite material that provides both protection and vapor permeability while remaining lightweight.
2Reliability
If impermeable resilient materials are used, then the container provides good containment, but the soap bar cannot dry and becomes soggy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates vapor-permeable lamination layers that allow water vapor to pass through while blocking liquid water. This porous structure enables the soap bar to dry by allowing moisture evaporation while maintaining containment of liquid soap and residue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different parts of the container. The lamination structure has regions with varying permeability characteristics, allowing vapor transmission in certain areas while maintaining liquid barrier properties in others, optimizing both drying and containment functions.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If vents or holes are added to allow drying, then the soap bar can dry, but water and wet/messy contents may escape
Solution Approach 1:
The vapor-permeable lamination layers provide a controlled porous structure that allows water vapor molecules to pass through while blocking larger liquid water droplets and soap residue. This eliminates the need for vents or holes that would allow uncontrolled leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The lamination layers act as an intermediary barrier between the soap bar and the external environment. This intermediate structure selectively permits vapor transmission while preventing liquid and residue escape, resolving the contradiction between drying and containment.
4Weight of moving object
If the container is made to change size with the soap bar, then portability is maximized, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic container structure that can change its volume and shape as the soap bar size changes or as water is removed during drying. The flexible lamination layers allow the container to collapse and expand, adapting to the contents while maintaining structural integrity through the bonded layer structure.
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 the soap bar to dry within 24 hours, preventing soggy conditions and residue leakage, while adjusting size with the soap, maximizing portability and maintaining soap quality.
Implementation Method 1
the container includes one or more vapor-permeable layers... drying the soap bar through water vapor passing through the one or more vapor permeable layers
Implementation Method 2
The fold-top closure may include one or more semi-rigid structural members to form a liquid-tight barrier
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for a lightweight, space-saving soap bar container that may allow contents to dry while in storage are provided in accordance with various embodiments. The tools and techniques in accordance with various embodiments may provide for a lightweight, space saving container that may contain bar soap for travel, backpacking, camping, and recreational activities, for example. The container may allow a wet soap bar to dry while in storage, which may avoid a soggy soap bar that can be an unpleasant experience for the user and reduce the lifespan and quality of the soap. It also may contain soap and wet soapy residue from the soap bar to prevent the soap and residue from getting on other objects during travel. Lastly, the container may be able to change size as the soap bar changes size, allowing maximum portability.