Adjustable additive cartridge systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid dispensing systems for beverages and other products often mix additives with base liquids within the container, which can compromise the purity of the base liquid and limit user flexibility in choosing different additives.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable additive cartridge system that allows for controlled and adjustable dispensing of additives into a base fluid as it flows through the cartridge, enabling the use of multiple interchangeable cartridges with different additives and an integrated filter for maintaining base fluid purity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If additives are mixed with base liquids within the container, then the dispensing process is simplified, but the purity of the base liquid is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the beverage container into two separate compartments: a base liquid container and an additive cartridge. This segmentation allows the base liquid to remain pure while the additive is separately stored and only introduced during dispensing, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and base liquid purity.
Solution Approach 2:
The additive cartridge acts as an intermediary component between the base liquid and the final beverage product. It enables controlled additive introduction during dispensing without requiring pre-mixing, thus maintaining base liquid purity while simplifying the dispensing operation.
2Device complexity
If a single container holds both base liquid and additive, then the device structure is simplified, but user flexibility to switch additives is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the additive storage function into a removable cartridge, the system maintains a simple overall structure while enabling easy additive replacement. Users can swap cartridges to change additives without affecting the base liquid container, achieving both structural simplicity and additive flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The additive cartridge serves multiple functions: it stores different additives, provides controlled dispensing, and enables user flexibility through interchangeability. The universal cartridge design allows various additives to be used with the same base liquid container, enhancing versatility without increasing device complexity.
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 system allows for the dispensing of additive and base fluid mixtures while keeping the base fluid in the container pure, and enables users to easily switch between different additives with the same supply of base liquid, enhancing user experience and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
An adjustable additive cartridge with an integrated filter for filtering base fluid flowing into the cartridge
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable additive cartridge that provides adjustable metering of additive to a base fluid as the base fluid is flowing through the cartridge. A spout is mounted for limited rotation within a base element of the cartridge. Rotation of the spout results in varying degrees of flow of additive into a base fluid flow path through the cartridge. The cartridge may be used with a portable beverage container, such as a sports bottle or off-the-shelf water bottle. The supply of base fluid in a container used with the cartridge may be kept in an unmixed, pure state, and other cartridges, each having different additives (i.e., flavors) may be used interchangeably with the same base fluid supply. The cartridge allows a consumer/user to experience different additives, such as different flavors or supplement compositions, for a given supply of base liquid in a single container. A check valve on the cartridge prevents backflow of the base fluid. An integrated filter for filtering base fluid flowing into the cartridge may be provided. The additive cartridge may be sealed to provide for extended storage and to provide a user/consumer with evidence of integrity, quality and/or tampering prior to purchase and/or use. Visual and tactile indicators of the amount of additive being added to a base fluid may be provided. A container may retain a spare additive adjustable cartridge on the container.