Integrated Infusion Septum for Sterile Post-Purchase Beverage Dosing

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a sealed beverage container that can be accessed after purchase or shipping to infuse beverages with an infusant of choice while maintaining an automatic reseal, as existing systems do not allow for post-purchase infusion without compromising sterility.

Innovation Solution

An integrated infusion septum is provided within the beverage container cap, comprising a base member, neck collar, and guide member, allowing for a piercing member to introduce an infusant into the container while ensuring a self-sealing mechanism to maintain sterility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sealed beverage container is used to maintain sterility during shipping and storage, then container sterility is improved, but the ability to infuse the beverage after purchase is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer sterilityVSAvoidpost-purchase infusion capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The closure system is segmented into multiple functional components: an outer closure body, an inner liner, and a self-sealing membrane with a defined piercing path. This segmentation allows the container to maintain its sealed, sterile state during shipping while enabling controlled access for infusion after purchase without compromising the overall sterility integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The self-sealing membrane is pre-configured with a defined piercing path and sealing mechanism before the container is sealed. This preliminary preparation allows the membrane to automatically seal after a piercing member passes through, enabling post-purchase infusion while maintaining sterility. The sealing capability is built into the structure in advance, resolving the contradiction between sealed storage and post-purchase access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a piercing member is used to access the sealed container for infusion, then post-purchase infusion is enabled, but the risk of compromising sterility increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepost-purchase infusion capabilityVSAvoidcontainer sterility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The self-sealing membrane acts as an intermediary between the sterile container interior and the external environment. It provides a controlled interface that allows the piercing member to pass through while maintaining sterility barriers. The membrane's sealing mechanism ensures that once the piercing member is withdrawn, the sterility is restored, thus enabling infusion without permanently compromising container sterility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The self-sealing membrane automatically performs the sealing function after the piercing member is withdrawn, without requiring additional manual intervention. This self-service sealing mechanism ensures that the sterility barrier is automatically restored after infusion, reducing the risk of contamination and maintaining container sterility while enabling post-purchase infusion capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If a self-sealing mechanism is implemented in the closure system, then automatic resealing after piercing is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic resealingVSAvoidclosure system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The self-sealing membrane is merged with the inner liner of the closure system, integrating the sealing function into the existing structure. This combination approach allows the self-sealing capability to be achieved without adding a completely separate complex mechanism. The membrane is formed as part of the closure assembly, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining automatic resealing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The self-sealing membrane utilizes material parameter changes (elasticity and memory properties) to achieve automatic sealing. The membrane is made from a material that can deform to accommodate the piercing member and then automatically return to its original sealed configuration when the piercing member is withdrawn. This parameter-based approach avoids complex mechanical sealing mechanisms, reducing device complexity while enabling automatic resealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 integrated infusion septum enables post-purchase infusion of beverages with desired flavors or supplements, ensuring a leak-proof seal and maintaining container sterility.

Implementation Method 1

the cap is made up of a resilient material that allows removal of the contents of a medicinal container without breaching the sterility of the container. Further, due to the resilient nature of the cap material, a seal will form around the needle as it penetrates the cap

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Once the needle is withdrawn, the septum automatically reseals, maintaining a reliable seal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic Recovery: Elastic Recovery

Data Source

PatentUS12509277B2Beverage container infusion port and method of use

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 BRANS ESTHER

AI summary

There is provided an infusion septum for a beverage container and more specifically, an infusion septum that is integrated within a beverage can end or a container cap and a method of infusion.