Beverage Dispenser Connector With Movable Needle Sanitization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensers face challenges in ensuring safe and hygienic connection to containers due to bacterial and viral contamination risks, requiring trained personnel and complex cleaning procedures, and expensive single-use parts for maintaining microbiological safety.
Innovation Solution
A beverage dispenser connector with a movable needle and sanitization system, allowing for the sanitization of the needle and connection area before use, and a beverage production device that integrates this connector for easy and safe beverage production, using a sanitizing liquid and gas supply to prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a connector is used to connect the beverage container, then the beverage can be dispensed, but bacterial or viral contamination may occur during connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing sanitization of the needle and connection area before the actual connection to the beverage container. The sanitizing liquid is delivered through the inlet to the cavity containing the needle, and the gas supply removes the liquid, all before the needle pierces the container seal. This pre-sanitization eliminates bacteria and viruses from the connection surfaces prior to contact with the beverage.
2Reliability
If trained personnel perform cleaning procedures, then contamination is reduced, but the process becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The connector performs self-sanitization through an integrated system where the needle and connection cavity automatically receive sanitizing liquid through the inlet and have it removed via the gas supply. This automated self-cleaning process eliminates the need for trained personnel to manually clean the connector, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high hygiene standards.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If single-use connector parts are used, then contamination is prevented, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a recoverable connector system where the connector body and needle are reused after sanitization. Instead of discarding the connector after single use, the inlet delivers sanitizing liquid to the cavity to eliminate contaminants, and the gas supply removes the liquid, allowing the connector to be safely reused multiple times without significant cost increase.
4Reliability
If chemical cleaning products are used, then bacteria are eliminated, but handling becomes risky and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydraulic principles by delivering sanitizing liquid through the inlet to the cavity containing the needle. The liquid flow automatically contacts and sanitizes the needle and connection surfaces, then the gas supply removes the liquid. This fluid-based sanitization method is safer and easier to handle than chemical cleaning products, eliminating the need for manual handling of hazardous chemicals.
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
Facilitates safe and easy connection of beverage containers by ensuring sanitization of the needle and connection area, reducing the risk of bacterial or viral contamination and eliminating the need for trained personnel, while providing a cost-effective solution for maintaining hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
a needle (9) with a piercing tip (90), wherein the needle (9) is associated with the dispenser body (2) so as to be movable between a retracted position in which the piercing tip (90) is positioned within the cavity (3) and an extended position in which the piercing tip (90) protrudes out of the cavity (3) via the opening (4)
Implementation Method 2
it is possible to allow for a sufficient sanitization of both the connectors needle, namely its piercing tip, as well as a corresponding area facing a delivery section of a container to be connected by the connector
Implementation Method 3
delivering a gas via the inlet through the cavity and out of the cavity via the outlet to drain the cavity from sanitizing liquid
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a beverage dispenser connector (1) comprising a dispenser body (2) defining a cavity (3) with an opening (4) to be open at a side of the dispenser body (2), a connection section (6) to attached the dispenser body (2) with the open cavity (3) over a delivery section (102) of a container (100) to close the cavity (3) with the delivery section (102), an inlet (7) to deliver a fluid into the cavity (3), an outlet (8) to discharge the fluid out of the cavity (3), and a needle (9) with a piercing tip (90), the needle (9) being associated with the dispenser body (2) so as to be moveable between a retracted position in which the piercing tip (90) is positioned within the cavity (3) and an extended position in which the piercing tip (90) protrudes out of the cavity (3) via the opening (4). The invention is further directed to a beverage production device comprising the beverage dispenser connector (1), a liquid supply (201), a gas supply (202), and a discharge section (203). Further, the present invention is directed to a method for beverage production with the beverage production device (200).