Breathable Container
A food container that reacts to the condensation due to its level of humidity and allow air ventilation by itself
Painpoint
Condensation happens in a food container when warm or hot food is placed inside the container and then sealed or certain ingredients are stored for a long period. It happens when water vapor in the air comes into contact with a cooler surface and changes from a gaseous state to a liquid state. The reason for this is that hot food gives off water vapor, which increases the humidity inside the container
Chosen Organism
Fabrication
Focused on designing a lid that has a functionality of ventilation by composite material opening the path where air circulation could happen to prevent condensation inside of the food container
Final Design
1st Prototype
After
Wood goes on the side of the container lid. The more it absorbs the water, the more it bends and creates the space
A food container that reacts to condensation due to its level of humidity and allows air ventilation by itself. When the condensation happens, the cuts from the lid naturally bents over and create a negative space so the air can travel. When it is fully ventillated and low humidity, it will naturally flatten out and close the lid and make it tight.
A variety shapes of openings are available. Small wood panels go on the top of the wooden base lid, and let the container breathe when the level of condensation is high. It will naturally control the humidity.
Fabricated by using metal lathe, and laser cutting
Material Testing
Cool & Wet
When water drops, water slides down towards the cone’s central stalk, the water fills up the cells and empty spaces between them, and layers expand and stretch.
The Strategy
Natural Humidifier
Composite Material
Dry - Cone open
Moist - Cone closed
Before
Warm & Dry
Stretchy cells absorb moisture and expand
National Institute of Ecology
Stiff fibers
Stretchy cells
Stiff fibers remain the same length
Result
2nd Prototype
1. Wood only
2.Wood + Epoxy Resin
3.Wood + Carbon Fiber
4.Wood + Poly Propelyne
Humidifier
‘Cypress + Epoxy Resin’ and ‘Wood + Polypropylene’ were successfully bent after 15-20 minutes after. Both composite materials can be used in the food container due to its food safeness and waterproofness
"A phenomenon in which a composite material bends due to a difference in expansion rate with two composite layers due to the moisture absorption expansion and contraction of wood"
Prototyping
Pine Cone
Pinecones are known to open and close their scales in response to humidity. The scales of a pinecone will open to release the seeds within when the air is dry. When the air is humid, the pinecone scales close to protect the seeds from moisture. It is because pinecones have evolved to rely on environmental cues to determine the best time to release their seeds
The present invention supplies moisture to the surroundings using the principle of natural evaporation of wood, and water input according to the hygroscopic expansion and contraction of wood Natural with wood that changes the height of the part and allows the user to know whether the room is dry through the exposed state of the display member.
The Function
After
Wood goes on the top surface of the container lid. The more it absorbs the water, the more it bends and creates the space
Before