BIB Bag Connector Valve Layout to Prevent Liquid Stagnation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bag-in-box (BIB) packages face challenges in preventing bacterial contamination due to liquid stagnation in the connector chamber and emptying line, which limits the package's lifetime as residual liquid can become a culture medium for bacteria.
Innovation Solution
A bag side connector with an external valve device made of thermoplastic elastomer that controls fluid communication between the chamber and through holes based on pressure, ensuring liquid does not stagnate and reducing the risk of contamination by isolating the bag from the external environment after use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the chamber and through holes remain open for liquid delivery, then liquid can be delivered from the bag, but liquid stagnates in the chamber and is exposed to bacterial contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The external valve is designed to automatically close and isolate the chamber from the through holes immediately after liquid delivery stops. This preliminary action prevents liquid stagnation and bacterial contamination before they can occur, resolving the contradiction between maintaining delivery capability and preventing contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system is segmented into an internal valve for liquid delivery control and an external valve for chamber isolation. This segmentation allows the internal valve to remain open for delivery while the external valve closes to prevent contamination, enabling both functions to operate independently and resolve the contradiction.
2Reliability
If the external valve closes to isolate the bag, then bacterial contamination is prevented, but the assembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The external valve is integrated with the obturator as a single component, merging the isolation function with the existing liquid delivery mechanism. This reduces device complexity while maintaining reliable contamination prevention, as the external valve closes automatically when the obturator moves during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The external valve is designed to close automatically based on pressure changes that occur during normal liquid delivery and emptying cycles. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional control systems or manual intervention, maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliable contamination prevention.
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 solution effectively prevents bacterial contamination by ensuring liquid does not re-enter the bag, thereby extending the BIB package's lifetime and simplifying the assembly process while reducing material and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
suitable for allowing/interrupting the fluid communication between the chamber and said at least one through hole in dependence on the pressure existing in said chamber
Implementation Method 2
said obturator has a foot suitable for contacting a distal edge of said third collar to form a leak-tight seal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The bag side connector for a BIB package comprises: an element (10) having a longitudinal axis (12) and including a flange (14) with an upper and a lower face, wherein a first collar (16) protrudes from the upper face, so that a cylindrical chamber (18) is defined, a second collar (20) protrudes from the lower face, and the flange (14) has at least one through hole (22) in the area delimited by the second collar (20); and an internal valve device including an obturator (24) slidable along said axis (12) and a third collar (26) protruding from the lower face of the flange (14) coaxially and internally in respect of the second collar (20) and externally in respect of the area with at least one through hole (22), wherein said obturator (24) has a foot (30) suitable for contacting a distal edge (32) of the third collar (26) to form a leak-tight seal, and a top wall (34) from which an actuating pin (36) protrudes and extends through a center bore (38) of the flange (14). The connector further comprises an external valve device arranged in the chamber (18) and suitable for allowing/interrupting the fluid communication between the chamber (18) and the at least one through hole (22) in dependence on the pressure existing in the chamber (18).