Container With Insert Valve For Liquid Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Concentrated liquids in containers can have a short shelf life due to components like acids, and existing dispensing systems often mix liquids prematurely, cause staining, and make it difficult to assess the amount dispensed, leading to inconsistent dispensing as the liquid level changes.

Innovation Solution

A container design with a separate insert for each liquid and a single valve member that isolates and then allows controlled dispensing of both liquids, using a flexible diaphragm with slits to mix fluids only when dispensed, preventing premature interaction and allowing for consistent dispensing ratios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If concentrated liquids are stored in a container, then the packaging size is reduced, but the shelf life decreases due to components like acids

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging sizeVSAvoidshelf life

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into separate compartments, each holding different concentrated liquid components. This segmentation prevents harmful interactions between components (extending shelf life) while maintaining the concentrated form (reducing packaging size).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple nested containers are placed inside a outer container, with each nested container holding a different concentrated component. This nesting arrangement maintains compact packaging while isolating components to preserve shelf life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If a smaller chamber is used to separate components, then shelf life is extended, but dispensing is impeded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf lifeVSAvoiddispensing

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall between compartments is designed to be flexible rather than rigid. When the container is squeezed, the flexible wall dynamically adjusts to allow both components to flow together through a common valve, enabling easy dispensing while maintaining separation during storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If a stream of concentrated liquid is squeezed into another liquid, then dispensing is achieved, but splashing and staining occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedispensingVSAvoidstaining

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple concentrated liquid components are merged together inside the container through a common valve during dispensing. This controlled merging prevents splashing and staining that would occur if one concentrated stream were dumped into another liquid, while still achieving efficient dispensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If a single valve member is used to block both exit flow paths, then device complexity is reduced, but reliable isolation of both liquids must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve structureVSAvoidliquid isolation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A single valve member is designed to perform multiple functions: it simultaneously controls the exit flow paths of both liquid compartments and maintains isolation between the liquids. This universal valve reduces device complexity while ensuring reliable isolation through its dual-action design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 container maintains liquid separation until dispensing, preventing premature interaction and staining, and ensures consistent dispensing ratios across multiple uses by using a single valve for both liquids, enhancing shelf life and user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

using a flexible diaphragm with slits to mix fluids only when dispensed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid mixing through diaphragm slits:

Implementation Method 2

A valve member of the container is moveable from a closed position, blocking both the first and second exit flow paths and maintaining isolation of the first and second liquids upstream of the valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectValve blocking flow: Valve

Data Source

PatentUS9663285B2Containers and methods for isolating liquids prior to dispensing

Publication Date: 2017.05.30 KRAFT FOODS GROUP BRANDS LLC

AI summary

A container for isolating first and second fluids, such as beverage concentrate components, until dispensing is provided, as well as methods of assembly and dispensing. The container can have a body for containing the first fluid and an insert, received at least partially within the body, for containing the second fluid and isolating the first and second fluids. A first fluid exit path and a second fluid exit path can both be blocked by a valve member. When the valve member is moved to an open position, flow through both the first and second fluid exit paths can occur.