Adapter for Collapsible Liquid Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of rigid liquid containers in liquid dispensers leads to bacterial contamination due to air exposure, inefficiencies in transportation and storage, and high costs associated with reusable bottles, while collapsible containers leak when inverted on traditional dispensers.
Innovation Solution
An adapter with a liquid container connector and a dispenser connector, featuring a self-sealing valve probe and an elastomeric material for a tight fit around the feed tube, prevents air-borne contamination and ensures a secure connection for collapsible liquid containers like bag-in-box systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid liquid bottles are used in liquid dispensers, then the connection is secure and reusable, but bacterial contamination occurs due to air exposure and light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary component between the liquid dispenser and the liquid container. The adapter includes a probe that pierces the self-sealing valve of the container and connects to the dispenser's feed tube, creating a sealed pathway that prevents air and light from reaching the liquid while maintaining secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter creates a sealed, air-excluded environment for the liquid by using the self-sealing valve mechanism and tight-fitting connector design. This eliminates air exposure and light penetration, preventing bacterial contamination while maintaining liquid accessibility.
2Reliability
If rigid liquid bottles are used, then the container is reusable and secure, but transport and storage space efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical form parameter of the liquid container from rigid bottles to collapsible containers (such as bag-in-box). This allows the container volume to decrease as liquid is dispensed, dramatically improving transport and storage efficiency while maintaining connection security through the adapter's self-sealing valve mechanism.
3Volume of moving object
If collapsible liquid containers are used, then transport and storage space is reduced, but the containers leak when inverted on traditional dispensers
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter serves as a mediator that resolves the incompatibility between collapsible containers and traditional dispensers. It includes a probe that pierces the container's self-sealing valve and connects to the dispenser's feed tube, preventing leakage while maintaining the space efficiency of collapsible containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-sealing valve on the collapsible container automatically seals when not in use, and the adapter's probe maintains this seal while allowing controlled liquid flow. This self-sealing mechanism prevents leakage without requiring additional active components.
4Reliability
If rigid liquid bottles are used, then the connection is stable, but the cost and environmental impact are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the container type from rigid plastic bottles to collapsible containers, which can be more efficiently recycled or disposed of. The adapter enables this transition while maintaining connection stability through its sealed probe design, reducing environmental impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for the use of disposable or easily replaceable collapsible containers instead of expensive, hard-to-recycle rigid bottles. The adapter provides a cost-effective interface that maintains connection reliability while enabling more sustainable container options.
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 adapter reduces bacterial contamination, minimizes environmental impact, and allows for efficient use of collapsible containers by maintaining a secure and leak-free connection, enhancing the reliability and cost-effectiveness of liquid dispensing systems.
Implementation Method 1
said probe part being adapted to pierce an outlet comprising a self-sealing valve or membrane of said removable liquid container
Implementation Method 2
an area around said outlet of said dispenser connector is made of an elastomeric material, or a material with similar characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter (9) for connecting a removable liquid container (10) to a liquid dispenser (1), said adapter having at a first end thereof a liquid container connector and at a second end thereof a dispenser connector, said liquid container connector having a probe part (12) adapted to pierce an outlet comprising a self-sealing valve or membrane of said removable liquid container (10), said probe part (12) being hollow and having at least one inlet for liquid from said removable liquid container, said dispenser connector being hollow and having at its end remote from said probe part an outlet for liquid from said removable liquid container, wherein the outlet of the dispenser connector is adapted to fit tightly around an existing feed tube of the liquid dispenser (1). The adapter (9) can be part of an adapter assembly, which can optionally comprise a liquid transfer regulating means (11) adapted to cooperate with and regulate liquid transfer through said adapter (9).