Disposable Liquid Mixing System Using Pressurized Bag Collapse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid mixing and dispensing systems require costly sterilization and are difficult to keep contaminant-free, especially when using a water diluent that enters the manifold from the container, making the assembly process unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A portable and/or disposable liquid mixing and dispensing system with a housing containing multiple containers and flexible sealed bags, where a pressurized second liquid is used to collapse the bags and mix with the first liquid, eliminating the need for container sterilization by isolating the contents from the pressurized liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water diluent enters the manifold from the container interior, then mixing is achieved, but sterilization cost increases and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the liquid delivery paths into separate sealed containers (first container with first liquid, second container with second liquid) that only mix at the point of dispensing. This segmentation prevents contamination during assembly by isolating each liquid component in its own sterile environment until the moment of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable sealed containers and bags that are pre-filled and sealed in a sterile environment. These single-use components eliminate the need for expensive sterilization of reusable manifolds and piping, as each new container assembly is inherently sterile and discarded after use.
2Reliability
If water diluent enters the manifold from the container interior, then mixing is achieved, but assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquids are pre-filled into sealed containers and bags in a controlled sterile environment before assembly. The containers and bags are pre-sealed with their respective liquids, eliminating the need for complex sterilization procedures during the assembly process and making the system easier to assemble while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the two liquid streams into distinct sealed containers that converge only at the dispensing point, the system simplifies assembly. Each container can be independently handled and attached without concern for cross-contamination, making the assembly process more straightforward while ensuring contaminant-free operation.
3Reliability
If sealed bags are used to contain liquids, then contamination is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible sealed bags made of thin film materials to contain the liquids. These flexible containers are simpler in structure than rigid sealed systems, can be easily sealed and attached to the dispensing mechanism, and effectively prevent contamination while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
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 reduces costs and simplifies the assembly process by preventing contaminants from entering the system, ensuring reliable mixing and dispensing of beverage components without the need for sterilization of the containers.
Implementation Method 1
A portable and/or disposable liquid mixing and dispensing system with a housing containing multiple containers and flexible sealed bags, where a pressurized second liquid is used to collapse the bags and mix with the first liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid mixing and dispensing system comprises a housing enclosing a chamber containing multiple containers, a flexible bag is in each of the containers. The flexible bags contain first liquids. Connecting conduits lead from the bags to a discharge conduit. A supply conduit is configured and arranged to supply a pressurized second liquid to the containers and to the discharge conduit. The pressurized second liquid serves to collapse the bags and eject the first liquids from the bags and via the connecting conduits into the discharge conduit for mixture with the first liquid.