Fluid Dispenser With Insulated Container and Check Valve

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Solution Overview

Problem

The process of dispensing liquids from containers is time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially when the liquids need to be kept at temperatures lower than room temperature, leading to operation inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for refrigeration, which may not always be accessible.

Innovation Solution

A dispenser system that can move between open and closed positions, including a cap and tube configuration with a sealing plug and check valve, and an insulated container to maintain temperature below 41°F, allowing for efficient dispensing of liquids while maintaining product integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional refrigeration methods are used to keep liquids at temperatures below room temperature, then product integrity is maintained and spoilage is prevented, but operational efficiency decreases and costs increase due to the need to frequently open and close refrigerator doors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct integrityVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the storage and dispensing functions into separate components: an insulated container for temperature maintenance and a dispenser mechanism for liquid access. This segmentation allows the liquid to be stored at controlled temperatures while enabling quick dispensing without compromising the thermal environment, thus maintaining product integrity while improving operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dispenser acts as an intermediary mechanism between the insulated container and the user. It provides a controlled interface that allows liquid to be accessed and dispensed without requiring opening of the insulated container, thereby maintaining the thermal barrier and preventing spoilage while enabling efficient liquid retrieval.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional refrigeration access is required for storing liquids at safe temperatures, then product safety is ensured, but accessibility and operational flexibility are reduced when refrigeration is not available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct safetyVSAvoidaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the thermal parameter control from active refrigeration to passive insulation. The insulated container maintains liquid at safe temperatures through thermal isolation rather than active cooling, providing product safety while enabling operation in environments without refrigeration access, thus improving adaptability and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If manual pouring from containers is used, then equipment complexity is minimized, but time consumption and labor intensity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment simplicityVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The dispenser mechanism is designed to automatically control liquid flow through simple user interactions (pushing or pulling). The system self-regulates the dispensing process without requiring manual pouring actions, reducing time consumption and labor intensity while maintaining relatively simple equipment structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The dispenser incorporates dynamic movement between open and closed positions to control liquid flow. This dynamic mechanism allows quick transition between dispensing and sealed states, significantly reducing the time required for liquid retrieval compared to manual pouring, while adding only minimal structural complexity.

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 system enables efficient and labor-saving dispensing of liquids at controlled temperatures, reducing operational inefficiencies and costs associated with traditional refrigeration methods.

Implementation Method 1

The dispenser can further include a check valve between the inner wall of the cap and the lip of the opening of the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCheck valve: Valve

Implementation Method 2

The dispenser can further include a seal positioned within the aperture defined by the inner wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 3

an insulated container configured to receive the container and maintain a temperature below 41° F

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS20240025725A1Fluid dispenser

Publication Date: 2024.01.25 STARBUCKS CORPORATION

AI summary

An apparatus for dispensing a liquid can include a dispenser coupled to a container. The dispenser can be configured to move between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the dispenser can be configured to dispense the liquid. The container can be in an inverted position such that an opening of the container is facing downward.