Disposable Mixing Container With Rigid Bottom And Flexible Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disposable mixing systems face challenges in adaptability and cost-effectiveness due to expensive and complex moulding tools for modifying container forms or functionalities, necessitating a solution that allows easy adjustment to changing process needs.
Innovation Solution
A disposable container design featuring a flexible side wall and a rigid or semi-rigid bottom with adjustable ports and openings, manufactured separately for flexibility, and an inclined bottom for efficient drainage and mixing, along with a heat-seal or adhesive seal for assembly, facilitating easy adaptation to different customer and process requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If moulding technologies are used to produce disposable containers, then the containers can be manufactured with rigid or semi-rigid bottoms for stability and reinforcement, but the moulding tools become expensive and complicated to manufacture and modify
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into two main segments: a flexible container body and a separate rigid or semi-rigid bottom portion. The rigid bottom is detached from the flexible container body and connected via a coupling mechanism (flange and seal arrangement). This segmentation allows the rigid bottom to be manufactured separately using simpler, less expensive tools, while the flexible container body can be produced using conventional forming methods. The modular design enables independent optimization of each component and simplifies tooling requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the container design is modified to adapt to changing process needs, then the versatility and adaptability improve, but the complexity and cost of modifying expensive moulding tools increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container design incorporates dynamic adaptability through the detachable coupling between the flexible container body and rigid bottom. The flange and seal arrangement allows for easy assembly and disassembly, enabling rapid reconfiguration for different processes. This dynamic interface permits quick changes in container configuration without requiring complex tooling modifications, as the rigid bottom portions can be swapped or repositioned independently of the container body moulding tools.
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 provides a cost-effective and adaptable disposable mixing system that enhances mixing efficiency and drainage, reducing the accumulation of solids around impellers and improving the overall flexibility and stability of the container.
Implementation Method 1
heat-seal or adhesive seal for assembly
Implementation Method 2
heat-seal or adhesive seal for assembly
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a disposable container (1; 100; 200) comprising a side wall (3; 103; 203), top (5; 105; 205) and bottom (7; 107; 207), wherein the side wall (3; 103; 203) comprises a first flexible material and the bottom (7; 107; 207) comprises a rigid or semi-rigid material. The side wall (3; 103; 203), top (5; 105; 205) and bottom (7; 107; 207) are joined together to define the container with an interior compartment (9; 109; 209) for keeping a fluid inside the container (1). The bottom (7; 107; 207) comprises at least one opening (13; 113; 213) that is fluid-tightly covered with an assembly (15; 115, 215) comprising a second flexible material and wherein the assembly (15; 115; 215) comprises at least one port (25; 125; 225) which provides access to the interior compartment (9; 109; 209) of the container (1; 100; 200). The invention also relates to a mixing system comprising the disposable container.