Flexible Container Spray Valve SBoV Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional flexible container dispensing systems with rigid outer enclosures are inefficient in reducing raw material and shipping costs, improving recyclability, and minimizing waste and disposal costs, while also failing to deliver fluid compositions under pressure without propellants.

Innovation Solution

A flexible container with a spray valve and a propellant-free pressurized dispensing system, utilizing a sleeve and bag-on-valve assembly (SBoV) integrated into a multilayer film structure, where the SBoV includes a valve, valve seat, and an elastic sleeve, allowing for the delivery of fluid compositions under pressure without the need for propellants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid outer enclosure is used in conventional BoV dispensing systems, then structural strength and valve protection are improved, but material costs, shipping costs, and disposal costs increase while recyclability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmaterial cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the rigid outer enclosure with a flexible container made from laminated film layers that provides the necessary structural strength while being lightweight, cost-effective, and recyclable. The flexible container maintains the integrity of the BoV dispensing system without requiring rigid plastic or metal construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible container utilizes composite laminated film structures combining multiple layers with different properties (barrier, strength, sealability) to achieve the required structural performance without the need for rigid materials. This composite approach allows the flexible container to protect the valve and maintain strength while reducing cost and improving sustainability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a rigid outer enclosure is used, then valve protection is improved, but recyclability and waste reduction are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve protectionVSAvoidwaste volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible container serves as an protective enclosure for the valve mechanism while being made from recyclable laminated films. This replaces rigid enclosures that are difficult to recycle, thereby reducing waste volume and improving environmental sustainability without compromising valve protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible container is designed to be recyclable after product depletion, allowing the material to be recovered and reused. This contrasts with rigid enclosures that typically end up in landfills, thereby reducing harmful waste factors while maintaining reliable valve protection during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Ease of operation

If conventional BoV systems are used with rigid enclosures, then dispensing functionality is achieved, but propellant-free pressurized spray delivery is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing functionalityVSAvoidpropellant-free spray capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the physical parameters of the container system by using a flexible container that can deform under elastic force, enabling the propellant-free pressurized spray delivery mechanism to function. The flexibility allows the container to compress and expand, creating the necessary pressure changes for spray dispensing without requiring propellants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes elastic force generated by the flexible container's deformation to create pressurized fluid flow for spray delivery. The elastic sleeve compresses the fluid composition within the flexible container, generating the pressure needed for spray dispensing through the valve without requiring chemical propellants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

4Ease of manufacture

If rigid plastic or metal enclosures are used, then manufacturing and assembly are simplified, but shipping costs and disposal costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidcontainer weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible container made from laminated films is significantly lighter than rigid plastic or metal enclosures while providing adequate protection for the dispensing system. This weight reduction lowers shipping costs and improves handling efficiency without compromising the ability to assemble and manufacture the dispensing system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 enables efficient delivery of fluid compositions under pressure while reducing material and shipping costs, improving recyclability, and minimizing waste and disposal costs by using a flexible, recyclable container that maintains product integrity and shelf life.

Implementation Method 1

elastic contraction forces in said elastic material exert compressive on said material, urging the material out of the outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic contraction: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3283395B1Flexible container with a spray valve
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • EP3283395B1 patent drawingFigure 1~6
  • EP3283395B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3283395B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a flexible container. In an embodiment, the flexible container includes (A) four panels, each panel formed from a flexible multilayer film. The flexible multilayer film is composed of one or more polymeric materials. The four panels form (i) a body, and (ii) a neck. The flexible container includes (B) a fitment. The fitment includes a top portion and a base. The base is composed of a polymeric material. The base is sealed in the neck. The flexible container includes (C) a sleeve and bag-on-valve assembly, or SBoV. The SBoV includes a valve seat, a bladder, and an elastic sleeve. (D) The bladder and the elastic sleeve are inserted through the fitment and are located in the body. (E) The valve seat is attached to the fitment.