Flexible Container Fitment Assembly for Airtight Probe Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible containers face challenges in controlling air ingress and probe coupling during fluid dispensing, especially in eternal feeding systems, due to their flexible nature and different filling and dispensing requirements compared to rigid containers.

Innovation Solution

A flexible container assembly with a bag and fitment assembly, featuring a spout with a depending skirt and upstanding spout, threaded for a cap, and a tamper evident seal, allowing secure attachment of probes and ensuring airtight sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid container with cap is used, then the structure is stable and easy to manufacture, but air ingress control is difficult during fluid dispensing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair ingress controlVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a rigid container to a flexible container that can dynamically change its volume during filling and dispensing operations. The flexible container allows the volume to expand during filling and contract during dispensing, enabling better control over air ingress while maintaining structural integrity throughout the operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a flexible container made of flexible material that can deform to accommodate volume changes. This flexible shell allows for controlled expansion and contraction during filling and dispensing, providing better air ingress control compared to rigid containers while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard flexible container fabrication processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If a flexible container is used, then air ingress can be controlled during dispensing, but probe coupling becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair ingress controlVSAvoidprobe coupling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the container system into separate functional components: the flexible container body and a removable fitment assembly. The fitment assembly includes a coupling mechanism with engagement features that allow probes to be easily attached and detached. This segmentation enables the flexible container to maintain its air ingress control benefits while the standardized fitment assembly simplifies probe coupling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fitment assembly serves multiple functions: it provides a coupling interface for probes, maintains sealing during dispensing, and allows for easy attachment and detachment. This multi-functional design addresses the probe coupling difficulty by providing a standardized, user-friendly interface that works with various probe types while maintaining the flexible container's air ingress control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If a fixed rigid volume container is used, then manufacturing is simple, but air ingress control is difficult during fluid removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer fabricationVSAvoidair ingress control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible container that dynamically adjusts its volume during filling and dispensing operations. This dynamic volume change capability allows for effective air ingress control during fluid removal while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard flexible container fabrication processes. The flexible material allows the container to contract as fluid is removed, preventing air from entering the container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 secure, airtight connection for probes, preventing air ingress and ensuring tamper evidence, suitable for eternal feeding systems.

Implementation Method 1

The depending skirt is sealingly engageable with the spout of the bag assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing engagement:

Implementation Method 2

Threads extend about the outer surface between the proximal end and the distal end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThreaded engagement: Screw

Implementation Method 3

a tamper evident seal extends across a lower terminal end of the depending spout

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTamper evident sealing:

Data Source

PatentUS12576008B2Flexible container assembly and fitment assembly for a flexible container assembly

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 XIAMEN TIANMA MICRO ELECTRONICS

AI summary

A flexible container assembly including a bag assembly and a fitment assembly. The bag assembly includes a bag and a spout. The spout includes a base flange and a cylindrical upstand that is in fluid communication with the cavity of the bag. The fitment assembly includes a body and a cap. The body includes a base, having an opening, a depending skirt depending from a lower surface of the base and a upstanding spout extending from the upper surface of the base. Methods of making, filling and using of the flexible container assembly, and the fitment assembly and components thereof are likewise disclosed.