Flexible Bag Container System for Liquid Dosing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dosing devices for liquid media face issues such as simultaneous dosing limitations, fluid loss due to evaporation, solid particle settling, and clogging, leading to inconsistent product compositions and costly replacements.

Innovation Solution

A container system comprising a dimensionally stable container with a flexible bag and self-closing, self-cleaning dosing valve, forming a closed circuit that circulates the liquid medium, preventing settling and enrichment, and allowing for complete emptying without mechanical stirring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If open storage containers are used for liquid media, then filling and access is simplified, but fluid loss due to evaporation occurs and solid particles settle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling and accessVSAvoidfluid loss due to evaporation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested container system where an inner flexible storage container is placed inside an outer rigid container. The inner container holds the liquid medium and can be sealed independently, preventing evaporation while maintaining easy filling and access through the outer container's opening. This nested structure resolves the contradiction by providing both operational ease and substance preservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If mechanical stirrers are added to containers to prevent settling, then solid particle suspension is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolid particle suspensionVSAvoidmechanical stirrer components
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a self-cleaning dosing valve with a flushing mechanism that uses the liquid medium itself to clean internal surfaces. The system automatically flushes the dosing valve by circulating liquid through it, preventing solid particle accumulation and clogging without requiring external mechanical stirrers or manual intervention. This self-service approach maintains composition stability while avoiding additional mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If sequential dosing of individual components is used, then dosing precision is maintained, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming sequential operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing precisionVSAvoiddosing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple dosing functions into a single integrated dosing valve that can handle multiple liquid media simultaneously. The dosing valve is designed with multiple inlet ports and internal mixing capabilities, allowing sequential dosing precision to be maintained while enabling simultaneous introduction of multiple components into one container, thereby improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If storage containers are filled directly with liquid medium, then transfer operations are reduced, but contamination and incorrect filling increase leading to waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer operations efficiencyVSAvoidfilling accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary sealing of the inner flexible container before filling operations. The inner container is pre-sealed and can be filled through a controlled opening mechanism, preventing contamination and incorrect filling during transfer operations. This preliminary preparation ensures filling accuracy while maintaining efficient transfer operations, as the pre-sealed container can be quickly positioned and filled without risk of contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 system ensures consistent product composition, reduces waste, and minimizes maintenance by preventing settling and clogging, allowing for precise dosing and efficient operation with reduced operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

The bottom of the container is inclined from the long sides towards the center so that it forms a channel in the direction of the removal opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity flow: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

The liquid medium can thus circulate in the device, including the container system... enrichment, phase separation, sedimentation, crystallization and drying out of the media to be dosed is virtually ruled out

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCirculation: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2067716B1Method of dosing liquid media and container system
Publication Date: 2014.02.19 SCHLITT UWE MICHAEL
  • EP2067716B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2067716B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2067716B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The system (1) has a flexible bag arranged in a dimensionally stable container (6) and comprising two connections. The connections correspond to an opening of the container. A removal opening is arranged at a front side of the container, and the bottom of the container is inclined from longitudinal sides towards a middle, so that the bottom forms a groove in a direction of the removal opening. A connection line is designed from a supply opening of the container to one of the connections of the bag in a completely or partially flexible manner. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a device for dosing a fluid medium comprising a container system (2) a method for mixing color formulation (3) a self-locking valve comprising a connecting rod.