Bag-in-Container Vent Layout for Reliable Inner Bag Delamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrally blow-moulded bag-in-containers face challenges in optimizing the delamination of the inner bag from the outer container upon injection of pressurized gas, with existing vent designs being perpendicular to the interface, which reduces efficacy and reproducibility, and are not suitable for use with existing dispensing appliances.

Innovation Solution

The design features interface vents that run parallel to the interface between the inner and outer layers, opening coaxially with the bag-in-container's mouth, and a preform with a gap separating the layers, allowing for a wedge-shaped vent structure that facilitates delamination when pressurized gas is introduced, with the option of using the same or different materials for the layers and applying a release agent to reduce interfacial adhesive strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If interface vents are designed perpendicular to the interface between inner and outer layers, then the vent structure is simpler to manufacture, but the delamination efficacy and reproducibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevent structure manufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddelamination efficacy and reproducibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions the vent design from a perpendicular orientation (single dimension) to a parallel orientation along the interface (adding dimensional complexity). This dimensional change allows the vent to run along the interface between layers rather than piercing through, improving delamination consistency while maintaining manufacturability through the extrusion process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of substance

If the inner layer is made thinner to reduce material costs, then material consumption decreases, but the structural integrity and flexibility of the inner bag are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial consumptionVSAvoidinner bag structural integrity and flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the thickness parameter of the inner layer to achieve a balance between material reduction and functional performance. By carefully controlling the inner layer thickness within specific ranges and combining it with the parallel vent design, the system reduces material usage while maintaining adequate structural integrity and flexibility for the bag-in-container application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If a release agent is applied to reduce interfacial adhesive strength, then delamination becomes easier, but the manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelamination easeVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical parameter of the interface by applying a release agent, which changes the adhesive strength characteristics. This chemical modification enables easier delamination during dispensing operations. The process complexity increase is managed through integration into the existing extrusion and molding processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution enables consistent and reproducible delamination of the inner bag from the outer container at a lower pressure, maintaining the structural integrity of the inner layer and allowing compatibility with existing dispensing appliances, achieving efficient liquid dispensing while reducing material costs.

Implementation Method 1

control of the pressure at the interface between an inner layer (the bag) and an outer layer (the container) to separate the inner layer from the outer container and collapse the inner bag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a preform with a gap separating the layers, allowing for a wedge-shaped vent structure that facilitates delamination when pressurized gas is introduced

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStress concentration:

Implementation Method 3

applying a release agent to reduce interfacial adhesive strength

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive reduction: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS20100237035A1Integrally blow-moulded bag-in-container having interface vents opening to the atmosphere at location adjacent to a bag's mouth; preform for making it; and processes for producing the preform and bag-in-container

Publication Date: 2010.09.23 ANHEUSER BUSCH INBEV SA

AI summary

The invention is an integrally blow-moulded bag-in-container (2) and preform (1) for making it. The bag-in-container (2) has an inner layer (21) forming the bag and an outer layer (22) forming the container, and a mouth (5) fluidly connecting the volume defined by the bag to the atmosphere. The container further has at least one interface vent (3) fluidly connecting the interface (14) between inner and outer layers to the atmosphere, wherein the at least one vent (3) runs parallel to the interface between inner and outer layers (21) (22) and opens to the atmosphere at a location (4) adjacent to, and oriented coaxially with the bag-in-container's mouth (5). Processes for manufacturing a preform and a bag-in-container as defined above are defined too.