Bag-in-box tap with elastic bushing for oxidation prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bag-in-box container taps fail to adequately prevent liquid oxidation, content loss, and ensure inviolability once opened, particularly for sensitive products like wine, due to inadequate sealing and closure mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage safety dispensing tap with a deformable elastic element, movable bushing, and grooved flanges that provide secure closure and prevent accidental opening, combined with a padlock for maximum safety, ensuring the tap remains closed until intentionally opened.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple tap closure mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of preventing liquid oxidation and content loss deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism is divided into multiple independent components: an elastic element for sealing, a bushing for positioning, flanges for operation, and a padlock for security. Each component performs a specific function, and together they provide reliable protection against oxidation and content loss while maintaining manageable complexity through functional segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tap is equipped with a seal that is applied before the first opening and a padlock that secures the closed position in advance. These preliminary protective measures ensure that the liquid is protected from oxidation and unauthorized access before the tap is intentionally opened, enhancing reliability without requiring complex active control systems.
2Reliability
If a secure closure mechanism with multiple components is implemented, then the reliability of preventing accidental opening is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism incorporates a movable bushing that can be positioned in different locations within the tap body. The bushing moves freely until engaged by the flanges, which guide it into the correct position for secure closure. This dynamic positioning system provides reliable accidental opening prevention while avoiding the need for multiple fixed mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element automatically returns the bushing to its closed position after the flanges are released, and the padlock automatically secures the closed position once engaged. These self-acting features reduce the need for complex control systems and additional components, achieving high reliability with moderate complexity.
3Reliability
If the tap is designed to remain closed after opening, then the prevention of oxidation is improved, but the ease of operation for dispensing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic element is pre-loaded to exert a closing force on the bushing, and the flanges are designed to automatically engage and secure the closed position. This preliminary closing action ensures that the tap remains securely closed to prevent oxidation, while the user simply needs to overcome the elastic force to open it for dispensing, maintaining ease of operation.
4Reliability
If a padlock is added for maximum security, then the reliability of ensuring inviolability is improved, but the ease of operation for opening deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The padlock is designed to secure the closed position of the flanges in advance, providing maximum security and inviolability. When opening is required, the user simply needs to unlock the padlock, which then allows the flanges to move freely and the elastic element to open the tap. This preliminary security measure does not significantly impede the opening operation as it requires only a simple unlocking action.
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 tap effectively prevents liquid oxidation and content loss, maintaining product quality by ensuring secure closure and allowing controlled dispensing without accidental openings, even under impact, with the option for extended use through flexible tubes and improved recyclability.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable elastic element internally linked to the base body... the elastic element is interlocked, pressed, and deformed in its polar part, due to the deformation of the shutter, with an increase in its radial pressure in the polar part, against the closing seat, to block the access hole
Implementation Method 2
a bushing movable along the inside of the base body... which slide in a guided manner through the corresponding windows of the base body
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a bag-in-box container for storing and transporting liquids with a maximum safety tap for direct consumption through flexible tubes, for housing a filled bag with two opposite vertical positions for handling and transport, and another position for dispensation, with better safety control and a content outflow anti-blocking system by means of perimeter corrugations at the end thereof closest to the bag; and spouts with direct connection to tube lines for the conduction of and mixing with other products at a distance, or for visible dispensation without touching the container at a shorter distance, with another end tap, a flow interrupter with a deformable elastic element (10) connected with flanges (14) that can be actuated between normal and safety closed positions, a nozzle that can be connected to one of the spouts for direct dispensation into the mouth by means of a stream, and a set of measurements printed on the box to help sorting and recycling the components of the container.