Water-Soluble Pressure-Relief Valve for Recyclable Food Packages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure relief valves for food packages, such as those used for fresh roasted coffee, contribute to environmental footprint due to their materials and lack eco-friendly recycling options.
Innovation Solution
A pressure-relief valve with a main body made of a water-soluble polymer composition, optionally including a salt, which is bio-degradable and can be recycled through composting or paper recycling processes, featuring a permeable membrane to prevent product clogging and a design with radial extensions and grease grooves to control adhesion forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressure relief valve is used to allow gas escape while preventing air entry, then freshness is preserved, but environmental footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the valve from conventional non-biodegradable materials to water-soluble polymers that are bio-degradable and compostable. This parameter change allows the valve to be recycled through composting or paper recycling processes, reducing environmental footprint while maintaining its functional properties for freshness preservation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures where the valve components are made from water-soluble polymer compositions that combine biodegradability with functional properties. The composite nature of these materials enables both effective gas release functionality and environmental compatibility through recycling
2Productivity
If a permeable membrane is added to prevent product clogging, then product flow is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a permeable membrane with porous structure that allows gas molecules to pass through while physically blocking larger product particles. This porous material solution prevents product clogging of the valve opening while maintaining effective gas release, and the membrane integrates smoothly into the existing valve architecture
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 solution reduces environmental impact by enabling easy recycling and maintains effective gas release while preventing product clogging, ensuring freshness and ecological benefits.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing liquid between the main body and the valve membrane
Implementation Method 2
A polymer in the context of the present text is deemed to be water-soluble if it dissolves in water at a temperature at that water is liquid at atmospheric pressure
Implementation Method 3
a permeable membrane to prevent product clogging
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure-relief valve includes a main body equipped to be fastened to a flexible package material. The main body has at least one through hole forming a passage through the main body. A valve membrane lies, on a package side, against the main body in a region around the hole, and a sealing liquid between the main body and the valve membrane. The valve has a water-soluble polymer, whereby at least one component of the valve, for example the main body, is made of a polymer composition that includes a water-soluble polymer.