Bag-in-Container Adapter Design for Reliable Gas and Beverage Dispensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bag-in-container (BiC) systems are complex in construction and manufacturing due to precise preform dimensions and spin welding, limiting material and color choices, and suffer from flexible lines that can become disconnected or blocked during use.
Innovation Solution
A bag-in-container design with integrated neck passages and a lid system that allows for easy assembly by injection molding, featuring channels for gas introduction and dispensing, and a connector with symmetrical openings for secure gas and beverage lines, reducing complexity and improving reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spin welding process is used to mount closure ring to preforms, then connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and time are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spin welding process with an injection molding process. The closure ring is integrated directly into the preform assembly through injection molding, eliminating the need for separate welding operations. This substitution maintains connection reliability while significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the closure ring mounting operation with the preform manufacturing process itself. By integrating the closure ring into the preform assembly through injection molding, two separate operations (making the preform and mounting the closure ring) are combined into a single manufacturing step, reducing overall process complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible dispensing line is used, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential disconnection or blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flexible dispensing line from the system and replaces it with a rigid tube. The rigid tube is inserted through the closure ring and extends into the bag, providing a fixed, reliable pathway for beverage dispensing that eliminates the risks of flexible lines becoming disconnected or blocked.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a rigid tube instead of a flexible line for the dispensing pathway. The rigid tube maintains its shape and position, providing structural stability and reliable beverage flow, while the closure ring and lid system provide the necessary sealing and closure functions.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise preform dimensions are required, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the closure ring and preform into a single integrated assembly manufactured through injection molding. This integration eliminates the need for separate precision manufacturing and assembly operations, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining product quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces precision mechanical assembly operations with an injection molding process. The closure ring and preform are formed as a single integrated structure through injection molding, which is more forgiving of dimensional variations and easier to manufacture compared to precision mechanical assembly.
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 design simplifies manufacturing, enhances reliability by eliminating the need for complex connections, and ensures consistent operation by minimizing line disconnection and blockage issues.
Implementation Method 1
the bag being compressible upon introduction of a gas under pressure into an interface space between the bag and the container
Implementation Method 2
a lid is mounted onto the bag-in-container, said lid comprising a first seal sealing against the bag and a second seal sealing against the container
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
Bag in container and adapter for connecting a bag in container to a tapping device. Bag-in-container (6), comprising a bag (8) inside a container (10), the bag being compressible upon introduction of a gas under pressure into a space (9) between the bag and the container through a passage (11) between a neck (4) of the bag and a neck (5) of the container. A lid (20) is mounted onto the bag-in-container, comprising a first channel (25) connecting to an inner space of the bag and a second channel (28) connecting to said passage. A connector (30) is provided, connected to the bag-in-container. The lid comprises a channel part (35), extending from the second channel to an inlet opening (44) in a plane (PI) extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container, or the connector (30) comprises a channel part (42), extending during use, when coupled to the lid, from the second channel or a connecting element (38) to an inlet opening in a plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container. The bag-in-container further comprising a flexible dispensing line (36).